The House Ethics Committee announced Thursday that it has launched an investigation into allegations that Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-NC., fostered or created a hostile work environment. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
The House Ethics Committee has launched an investigation into Rep. Chuck Edwards over allegations of creating a hostile work environment and engaging in sexual harassment.
Little information about the probe was made public.
In a brief statement issued Thursday, the committee said it was “reviewing allegations that Representative Chuck Edwards may have created or fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment in violation of the Code of Official Conduct or any other applicable standard of conduct.”
The committee said that its investigation and public disclosure do not indicate a violation has occurred.
Edwards told The Hill that he welcomes the investigation and plans “to comply fully with the committee.”
“I am confident the investigation will expose the facts, not politically motivated fiction,” he said.
The announcement follows recent reports that the committee was investigating Edwards, with Axios having been the first to report on the development.
Specifics of the allegations were not clear, but Politico earlier this week reported that he allegedly had an improper relationship with a subordinate as well as allegedly engaged in sexually harassment.
The investigation comes on the heels of two high-profile House resignations last month over sexual misconduct allegations.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., stepped down amid accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse, while Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, resigned after admitting he had an affair with a former aide who died by suicide.
Amid growing concern and anger about alleged abuses by members of the lower chamber, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Ky., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., announced Wednesday the creation of a bipartisan partnership between their parties’ women’s caucuses to combat workplace sexual misconduct in Congress.
Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., and Kat Cammack, R-Fla., were designated to lead the effort as respective chairs of the Democratic and Republican Women’s Caucuses in the House.
“To state the obvious, all women should feel comfortable and safe working in the halls of Congress,” Johnson said in a statement, adding that he is happy Cammack and Leger Fernandez “will lead this bipartisan partnership to find ways we can continue to make Capitol Hill safer for women and all staff.”
