Representative Jimmy Gomez Under Ethics Investigation

As per the norm of Washington, a new representative is being accused of sexual misconduct.

Representative Jimmy Gomez of California's 34th district is now under investigation for an alleged inappropriate affair with a Capitol Hill staffer by the House Ethics Committee.

Should the House Ethics Committee find wrongdoing, it may recommend disciplinary action for a House vote. If illegal conduct is uncovered, the committee is legally required to issue a criminal referral. A censure vote requires a simple majority; an expulsion vote requires a 2/3rds majority. Gomez's case is unlikely to be seen as expulsion-worthy.

In April of this year, the New York Post published a story claiming Gomez was seen kissing a different representative's staff member. Though a spokesman initially declined to comment, Gomez provided the following statement to NPR: "Although my actions were consensual in nature and haven't violated the law or House Ethics rules, that doesn't diminish the impact that these mistakes have made on those I care about the most," Gomez said in a statement to NPR. "I take full responsibility and have committed myself to working through the pain privately with my wife and family."

"I also appreciate the Committee's statement that the existence of an inquiry does not itself indicate that any violation occurred. I respect the Committee's process and am confident that a full and impartial review of the facts will bear that out," Gomez said. "Out of respect for my family and the ongoing process, I will have no further comment."

Gomez is running for re-election in the 34th district. He will face fellow Democrat Angela Gonzales-Torres in the November general election. The ongoing investigation has the potential to affect the results in the district.

There are at least 8 ongoing ethics investigations into House members, and the committee has had around 20 sexual misconduct probes since 2017.