WASHINGTON — House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer said Tuesday he expects the House Ethics Committee to launch an investigation into sexual harassment allegations leveled against Nevada Democrat Rep. Ruben Kihuen.
Kihuen’s former campaign finance director told Buzzfeed she quit her position during the freshman congressman’s primary after he allegedly propositioned her with sex on multiple occasions and touched her thighs.
“My expectation is there will be an ethics hearing on this,” he said. “They have the right and should take this under consideration themselves.”
Hoyer said the accusations need to be thoroughly looked into in a timely manner, telling reporters he believes Kihuen should step down if the allegations are proven true. The Maryland Democrat noted the Ethics Committee is overwhelmed, adding Congress is working to make changes to provide the committee with the resources needed to conduct a sufficient probe.
“We need to do this in a fair, but efficient fashion not have been hanging around for a long time — that’s not fair to the member, but much, much more importantly it’s not fair to the victim,” Hoyer continued. “I’m very concerned about the safety and integrity of women on our staffs in this institution — they ought to know there is a process which they can get redress of a grievance that will be treated fairly and with sensitivity.”
Kihuen denies any improper behavior, opting not to resign despite top members of his party — including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Ben Ray Luján — calling for him to step down almost immediately after the story broke.