House votes to disclose records of taxpayer-funded sexual misconduct settlements

On July 1, 2026, the House of Representatives voted 420-0 to require the public disclosure of Ethics Committee records regarding sexual misconduct claims settled with taxpayer funds. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), mandates that the House Committee on Ethics preserve and release all records related to such settlements. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who voted present, had previously issued a subpoena for similar records. Massie stated that transparency is necessary to ensure the integrity of the House and to respect its officers and employees. The vote follows several scandals in 2026, including the resignations of Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX) due to allegations of sexual misconduct. Mace, who has been active in advocating for sexual assault victims, mentioned that her subpoena had already addressed the issue, suggesting that the vote was politically motivated. Earlier, a measure proposed by Mace to publicly release all House records related to sexual harassment was defeated.