A decade after Congress reformed its sexual harassment complaint process, current and former aides describe a minefield of unchecked misconduct. Nearly a dozen interviews reveal a culture where powerful lawmakers face few consequences, leaving young staff—especially women—feeling trapped and vulnerable in a workplace with little formal recourse.

Recent resignations of Representatives Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales highlight the ongoing crisis. Confidential settlements, including over $300,000 in taxpayer funds for six former members, underscore the financial and reputational costs. A whisper network remains the primary safety net in a system many call fundamentally broken.

The persistence of such behavior, from suggestive comments to clear misconduct, points to a toxic power dynamic unique to Capitol Hill. Leaders in both parties now acknowledge the problem, but the lack of transparent data and consistent enforcement leaves the underlying structure unchanged, failing those it is meant to protect.