美国众议院伦理委员会周一建议对共和党众议员查克·埃德华兹进行谴责，认定他对两名年轻女性助手进行了不当行为[1][2]。委员会确定埃德华兹造成了敌对的工作环境[2]，虽然未发现明确的性活动证据[1]，但认为他的行为会让理性观察者误解为性或浪漫的示好[1]。
据调查，埃德华兹向这两名女性提供了奢侈和经常性的礼物，发表了关于她们外表和着装的评论，并邀请她们参加私密晚餐和度假，同时发送了涉及其个人感情的便条[1]。两名女性对他的行为感到不适，试图进行沟通，但由于埃德华兹作为她们上司和国会议员的身份，她们处于无法接受的地位[1]。埃德华兹承认了至少一些行为可能被视为不当，并配合了调查[1]。
谴责建议需经众议院全体议员投票表决方能执行[1]，投票预计至少在几周后进行[1]。
The House Ethics Committee on Monday recommended that the full chamber censure Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina for his conduct toward two young female aides [1][2]. The committee determined that Edwards created a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment by providing luxury gifts, making comments about the women's appearance and clothing, and inviting them to private dinners and vacations [1][2].
According to the committee's findings, Edwards gave the aides "lavish and frequent gifts" and sent them notes about his personal feelings [1]. The two women felt uncomfortable with his behavior due to the inherent power imbalance created by his positions as their boss and a member of Congress, though they attempted to communicate their discomfort [1]. While the committee found no explicit evidence that Edwards made romantic or sexual advances to any employee or engaged in sexual activity with anyone [1], it concluded that a reasonable observer could have misinterpreted his actions as romantic or sexual overtures [1].
Edwards acknowledged that at least some of his conduct could be viewed as inappropriate and cooperated with the investigation [1]. The committee's recommendation requires a full House vote to take effect, with such a vote expected to occur at least several weeks from now [1].