House Ethics Committee Probes Rep. Chuck Edwards Over Harassment Allegations

The House Ethics Committee announced Thursday it is investigating Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina over allegations that he may have created a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment.

The probe follows reports citing roughly three to four sources who said Edwards’s interactions with two young female staffers crossed professional boundaries and left them uncomfortable.

Edwards said he welcomed the inquiry, would fully cooperate, and said he was 'confident the investigation will expose the facts, not politically motivated fiction,' while the Speaker called the allegations 'serious' and 'concerning.'

The ten-member committee, composed of five Republicans and five Democrats, cautioned that an investigation does not itself indicate a violation and recently investigated Rep. Eric Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzales, who resigned amid misconduct scrutiny.

The panel said it will review the allegations and disclosed the inquiry publicly but indicated it would make no further public comment as the review proceeds.