Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., is facing an investigation by the House Committee on Ethics after a woman who was interviewed as part of that probe disputed his characterization of their encounter as consensual.
The woman's lawyers sent a statement to Fox News Digital saying their client experienced sexual harassment and assault by the congressman, contrary to his public account. The House's internal watchdog announced it was looking into misconduct allegations against Gomez earlier this week.
Gomez acknowledged in a statement Monday that he made 'mistakes outside [his] marriage.' He said at the time: 'Although my actions were consensual in nature and haven't violated the law or House Ethics rules, that doesn't diminish the impact that these mistakes have made on those I care about the most.'
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive groups and Democratic colleagues of Gomez have largely avoided direct comment while the investigation is ongoing. The woman's lawyers framed their statement as part of a broader effort to hold members accountable.
'We fully expect that the House Committee on Ethics will come to the same conclusion in its investigation,' the attorneys wrote Wednesday, adding they are 'working with our client and with the House Committee on Ethics to ensure there is accountability for Representative Gomez and a safe path for any other survivors to come forward and share their experiences.'
The statement did not identify which party or ideological faction the woman supports.
What the Right Is Saying
House Republican leaders have pointed to this case as part of ongoing concerns about congressional workplace culture. A spokesperson for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said the Ethics Committee process 'must be allowed to proceed fully and transparently.'
'Congress must act to rein in its members who seem to believe that preying on young women working on Capitol Hill is one of the perks of their job,' the woman's lawyers wrote. This language has been echoed by Republican ethics reformers who have pushed for stronger protections for congressional staff.
Other recent Ethics Committee matters involving members from both parties have drawn bipartisan criticism, with the House passing measures to release more information about sexual harassment settlements.
What the Numbers Show
Gomez is not the first member this cycle to face such allegations. Ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., ended his gubernatorial campaign earlier this year amid rape allegations he has denied. Reps. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, and Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., both withdrew from their re-election bids after sexual harassment accusations.
The House Ethics Committee operates under rules established in 1997 that require confidentiality during investigations. The committee has 45 days after receiving a referral to announce whether it is extending its inquiry.
According to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, the congressional sexual harassment settlement program has paid out more than $17 million since 1990, though recent reforms have sought to make the process less restrictive for complainants.
The Bottom Line
The Gomez investigation remains in its early stages. His office has not responded to requests for additional comment on the woman's lawyers' statement.
What happens next depends on what the Ethics Committee finds. If substantiated, the panel could issue a reprimand, fine, or recommend expulsion — though the latter has occurred only five times in House history, most recently in 2002.