Exclusive | Highest-ranking woman in House calls for ban on sex with Capitol staff after The Posts Ruben Gallego expos

WASHINGTON — The highest-ranking woman in the House of Representatives is calling for a “bright-line rule” prohibiting lawmakers from having sexual relationships with congressional staff after The Post revealed Sen.Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) slept with at least two aides to Texas Democrats.Rep.

Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), chairwoman of the House Republican Caucus, told The Post that “Senator Gallego’s relationships fall short of the standard the public expects from elected officials.”“Congress should have a bright-line rule that Members should not have romantic or sexual relationships with congressional staff,” the No.4 House Republican said.“Even if a relationship is consensual, there is an inherent power imbalance that can undermine trust and create an appearance of impropriety.

The goal should be protecting staff and maintaining confidence in the institution,” she said.“My standard is the same regardless of party or personality.Members of Congress should be held to a high ethical standard whether they have an ‘R’ or a ‘D’ next to their name.”The House of Representatives approved a policy in 2018 — at the height of the #MeToo movement — banning its members from having relationships with their own staff members — after four lawmakers resigned for alleged misconduct.That policy does not explicitly bar relationships with staff from other offices.Gallego’s activities were revealed by The Post on Thursday after Democratic sources dished on the freshman senator’s dalliances during his decade representing Phoenix in the House.The Post’s sources viewed Gallego’s relationships as an abuse of his power, even though neither woman worked directly for him, in part because he held significant sway over their careers.

In one case, there was also a significant age gap.McClain joined a chorus of other women saying enough is enough with the boys club after Gallego’s best friend in Congress, the disgraced ex-Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.),...