Since its founding, the U.S. Congress, the institution that writes the laws governing the world’s leading superpower, has operated with shockingly lax standards.

Republican Florida Rep. Kat Cammack and House Speaker Mike Johnson are debating whether members’ staff should undergo routine criminal background checks and whether lawmakers should be barred from romantic or sexual relationships with the very people who draft, research, and shepherd the vast majority of legislation that shapes American life. While the two aren’t running their issues as a combined package, they should be because together they make up a glaring national security and institutional integrity failure.

Asked about if he supports an idea to ban members from dating ANY staff on the hill, Johnson said “I can’t believe it would be acceptable in any situation.” “I think we should as a bare minimum in Congress have rules and traditions that are adhered to in corporate America…"— Lauren Fox (@FoxReports) July 21, 2026

Asked about if he supports an idea to ban members from dating ANY staff on the hill, Johnson said “I can’t believe it would be acceptable in any situation.” “I think we should as a bare minimum in Congress have rules and traditions that are adhered to in corporate America…"

It’s not overstated to claim that congressional staff handles almost all of the substantive work on bills. They sit in on classified briefings, travel with members, manage sensitive data, and influence policy at every level.

“In Washington, congressional staffers serve as a legislator’s engines of policy production, as they draft bills, seek out cosponsors, meet with lobbyists, and network with other key staffers on the legislator’s behalf.........

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