Washington — The House Ethics Committee on Monday issued a report outlining the results of its investigation into Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina, finding “substantial reason to believe” that he violated House rules governing sexual harassment and hostile work environments.
The bipartisan panel recommended that Edwards be censured by the full House over the alleged conduct and said it plans to introduce a privileged resolution on the matter when lawmakers return. The chamber is scheduled to come back from recess later this month.
The Ethics Committee disclosed in May that it had opened a probe into Edwards, who has served in Congress since 2023, after Axios first reported allegations that he had directed unusual levels of attention toward two young staff members.
According to the report, Edwards “violated the House Code of Official Conduct by failing to adhere to the spirit of rules prohibiting sexual harassment of and unwanted advances to House staffers.” Investigators said he engaged in “persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers,” while also noting that Edwards has denied any sexual or romantic intent behind his actions.
The committee determined that “his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such,” citing repeated and expensive gifts, remarks about the women’s appearance and clothing, invitations to private dinners and vacations, notes expressing strong affection, and other invitations that appeared designed to create opportunities for one-on-one time.
At the same time, the panel said it found no evidence that Edwards “engaged in sexual activity with or explicitly propositioned any individual under his employ.” Still, investigators concluded that the North Carolina Republican knew “that his excessive attention toward the young women had led to rumors and innuendo in the office.”
The report centers on two young female staffers who, according to the committee, became the focus of “increasingly unusual attention from the Congressman while they worked for him,” contributing to a workplace atmosphere that made both the women and their colleagues uneasy.
“Both women were uncomfortable with his behavior (which they attempted to communicate) but were put in an untenable position by virtue of his status as their boss and a Member of Congress,” the committee wrote.
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The panel added that Edwards was “at minimum blind to that reality, and at worst, dismissive of the impact his inappropriate conduct had on the careers and wellbeing of two women on his staff.”
In its investigation, the committee said it sought documentary evidence from multiple sources, reviewed nearly 1,500 pages of evidence and conducted 16 witness interviews, including with Edwards. The committee said he agreed to waive procedures for the panel to recommend a sanction on the House floor.
The report comes as the Ethics Committee has faced increasing pressure to improve transparency around possible misconduct by members, after former Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resigned earlier this year after allegations of sexual impropriety.
In its conclusion, the panel said the report should not only hold Edwards accountable “for his poor judgment and unbecoming conduct,” but also “serve as a caution to all Members that sexual harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated in the House.”
