Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries Tap Chairwoman Cammack and Chairwoman Leger Fernández to Lead Bipartisan Partnership to Combat Workplace Sexual Misconduct in Congress

May 13, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswomen Kat Cammack and Teresa Leger Fernández, along with Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, today announced a bipartisan partnership between the Republican Women’s Caucus and Democratic Women’s Caucus to combat workplace sexual misconduct in Congress. The two Caucuses will work together to identify reforms and solutions to make Congress a safer work environment for women and all survivors. As the Chairs of the Republican and Democratic Women’s Caucuses in the House, Rep. Cammack and Rep. Leger Fernández were designated by Speaker Mike Johnson and Leader Hakeem Jeffries respectively to lead this bipartisan effort. Next steps and any proposed reforms will be done in coordination with House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01) and Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25), who will both participate in this effort in an ex-officio capacity. "No woman — regardless of party, title, or position — should ever feel unsafe in her workplace. Period,” said Republican Women's Caucus Chair Kat Cammack (FL-03) . “As Chair of the Republican Women’s Caucus, I am proud to be leading a bipartisan effort alongside the Democratic Women’s Caucus to take a hard look at the systems, reporting mechanisms, and workplace culture on Capitol Hill surrounding sexual harassment and assault. This effort has the support of Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries because this issue transcends politics. It’s about dignity, accountability, and ensuring that every person who comes to work in the People’s House is treated with respect and protected from abuse. The reality is that coming forward is extraordinarily difficult. Fear of retaliation, damage to careers, public scrutiny, and institutional pressure often silence victims long before justice has a chance to speak. We cannot claim to support women while ignoring the very real barriers that prevent them from reporting misconduct in the first place. Yes, bad actors must be held accountable and removed when warranted. But if we are serious about fixing this problem, we also have to confront the environment that allowed the behavior to occur, persist, or be concealed. Accountability cannot begin and end with punishment after the fact. It must include prevention, transparency, education, and systems people can actually trust. Congress should set the standard — not lag behind it. This effort is about restoring confidence that Capitol Hill is a workplace where professionalism, respect, and safety are non-negotiable. Every staffer, intern, employee, and Member deserves that.” “All women deserve a safe working environment—including the brilliant public servants who work in Congress. That’s why the Democratic Women’s Caucus and Republican Women’s Caucus are partnering to address the procedural and cultural problems that have led to pervasive sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill. Together, we will push for bipartisan changes to make the reporting process faster and more accessible and increase education and training resources, prioritizing staff and survivors at every step. This effort builds on the work of members of the DWC, who have pushed for better support and protections for survivors for years. We bring that expertise and dedication to this partnership," said Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) . “It is sickening that Congressmen sexually harassed and assaulted women staff instead of treating them with the respect they deserved. We know these women are not alone—women across America have been sexually assaulted and harassed by men at work who think they will never face any consequences. We will continue to stand with survivors, break the silence, and fight for a future free of sexual misconduct—in Congress and everywhere across this country.” "To state the obvious, all women should feel comfortable and safe working in the halls of Congress. As a father who has two daughters working on Capitol Hill — this is as personal to me as it is to anyone," said Speaker Johnson . "I am happy that Reps. Cammack and Leger Fernández, the respective chairs of the Republican and Democratic Women's Caucuses, will lead this bipartisan partnership to find ways we can continue to make Capitol Hill safer for women and all staff.” “Led by Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez and Kat Cammack, the principled effort to end sexual violence and harassment in Congress has the complete and unequivocal support of the House Democratic Caucus,” said Leader Jeffries . “All women and survivors working on Capitol Hill and in district offices throughout the country must always be treated with dignity and respect. We support an ironclad policy so we can bring about a safe, professional atmosphere for all Congressional staff members. I am thankful for the efforts of all the members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and look forward to the urgent work that must be done by this bipartisan group to end sexual violence and harassment.” Issues : Congress