Two U.S. lawmakers are proposing legislation that would bar federal politicians from using campaign funds to fight or settle sexual misconduct allegations.
Reps. Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), introduced the bill amid a spate of sexual misconduct scandals this spring. Khanna said politicians would behave better if they had to rely on their own financial resources, noting “That creates this culture of impunity where people think they’re untouchable.”
Luna said the change was overdue, stating “It is not what the Founding Fathers intended for members of Congress,” and “It’s a perversion of the system.”
I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation with @RepLuna to prevent federal elected officials from using campaign funds to go after survivors who bring claims of sexual assault or harassment.
— Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) July 28, 2026
Thank you to @CheyenneHuntCA for your work and leadership on this issue. pic.twitter.com/ryprqKrZoL
The bill would prohibit elected officials and candidates from using campaign donations or a legal-defense fund for legal fees related to sexual assault, sexual abuse or sexual harassment claims, as well as for settlements, judgments, or private investigators into accusers, though reimbursement is possible if not held liable, according to The Washington Post.
Khanna explained that such funds are often misused, saying “In most of the cases, they’re being used to smear survivors.”
Former Rep. Eric Swalwell has used more than $300,000 in campaign funds to pay lawyer Sara Azari for defending him against allegations of sexual assault and harassment by multiple women, with more than $250,000 paid between April 19 and May 16 alone for what filings described as campaign legal compliance work, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Swalwell’s congressional committee also paid about $50,000 on April 9 to Azari, whose website advertises high-profile sexual misconduct and #MeToo defense, along with additional legal fees to other firms.
Former California Controller Betty Yee said in a statement, “Campaign funds should never be weaponized to intimidate, threaten, or silence alleged victims.” She added, “Swalwell should pay for his legal defense using personal funds.”
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) also established a legal defense fund amid sexual misconduct allegations and an ethics probe.
There’s no telling whether this bill will pass. But it will be highly interesting to see which lawmakers vote against it and the justifications they use for doing so.
The fact that the bill is necessary in the first place is infuriating enough. But if Congress does not pass this measure, it will only reveal how little they care about what the American public thinks. Even further, it will show that they are willing to allow victims of sexual abuse to suffer by protecting their abusers.
