Better #MeToo scrutiny on Capitol Hill
Bipartisan agreement on Capitol Hill is rare these days. But it has been in evidence in recent weeks among a handful of congresswomen concerned about allegations of sexual misconduct by a few House members. They have called for Congress to expel three representatives and to publicly release records of its recent investigations (a motion voted down in early March).
鈥淲omen deserve to be safe,鈥� Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina said last month. 鈥淎nd the American people deserve to know鈥� when elected officials are 鈥渁busing power instead of serving their constituents.鈥�
On Monday, two House members announced they would step down 鈥� Democrat Eric Swalwell of California, who denies allegations of sexual assault by a former staff member and three other women, and Republican Tony Gonzales of Texas, who has admitted to an affair with an aide.
Nearly a decade after the #MeToo movement gained prominence, these events signal that Americans鈥� expectations of elected officials鈥� public and private ethics have changed 鈥� to demand greater transparency and accountability, as well as congruence between both.
In 2018, 鈥渨e saw a real acknowledging of problems in the halls of power ... especially affecting female staffers,鈥� veteran congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins said on NPR this week. That year, Congress tossed out the long-standing practice of using taxpayer money to settle claims of misconduct by elected officials 鈥� as well as a rule that required staff to accept up to 90 days of counseling, mediation, and 鈥渃ooling off鈥� before lodging a formal complaint.
Since then, Ms. Desjardins noted, it鈥檚 been taken 鈥渇or granted ... that this problem has been solved.鈥�
Clearly, there is more work to be done to extend recognition of and respect for women鈥檚 autonomy and inherent ability to contribute freely and fully in political and public life 鈥� especially among women themselves.
鈥淲omen 鈥� even those who are highly educated, well-credentialed, and politically engaged 鈥� often do not鈥� see themselves as viable candidates for office, a 2022 study found. 鈥淯ntil women are just as likely as men to consider running for office,鈥� the researchers concluded, 鈥渨e really haven鈥檛 achieved full inclusion.鈥�
Today, women constitute 28% of the membership of the current 119th Congress. While this is a substantial increase (of 44% between 2015 and 2025), more than half of all American adults feel there are too few women in high office.
There are varied reasons behind the desire for more women in politics. 鈥淚ncreased representation of women in elected office is associated with counteracting corruption鈥� and having a greater focus on public service delivery, according to a global survey by the London-based Westminster Foundation for Democracy and King鈥檚 College. 鈥淲hen women take part in politics, the whole of society benefits.鈥�
