Mike Johnson backs ‘easy’ ban on lawmakers having sex with staffers after explosive Post report on Swalwell pal Ruben Gallego

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson endorsed a proposal by GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain that would restrict lawmakers from having romantic relationships with congressional staffers following a bombshell Post report on Sen. Ruben Gallego’s affairs.

“Yeah, I can’t believe it would be acceptable in any situation,” Johnson (R-La.) told reporters Tuesday. “I think it’s inappropriate, as it would be in any workplace, and most companies have that. We should, at a bare minimum in Congress, have rules and traditions that are adhered to in corporate America.

“That’s an easy one for me.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson called sexual relationships between lawmakers and congressional staffers “inappropriate.” REUTERS

The Post revealed that Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) had sexual relationships with two House staffers for Texas Democratic lawmakers.

McClain (R-Mich.) had called for a “bright-line rule” barring sexual and romantic relationships after The Post revealed last week that Gallego (D-Ariz.), a close friend of disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), had dalliances with two House staffers for Texas Democratic lawmakers.

Gallego described the report as “gossip,” but did not deny the relationships took place.

Johnson did not say whether the House would pursue instituting a rule change this Congress.