WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is facing renewed scrutiny following a report by the New York Post that raised questions about his past relationships with congressional staffers during his time in the U.S. House of Representatives.

According to the report, Gallego acknowledged privately that he had consensual relationships with two Democratic House staffers while serving in Congress. The report said the relationships occurred when he was unmarried and involved staff members who did not work in his personal congressional office.

Asked by reporters about the allegations on Capitol Hill, Gallego declined to discuss the matter, saying, “I will not engage in gossip.”

The report has prompted renewed discussion about congressional ethics policies governing relationships between lawmakers and staff. Current House rules prohibit members from engaging in romantic relationships with employees working directly in their own offices, but do not explicitly prohibit relationships with staff employed by other congressional offices.

Some lawmakers and ethics advocates have argued that Congress should review those policies to address potential concerns involving workplace power dynamics and public confidence in elected officials.

The renewed attention also follows previous ethics complaints filed against Gallego. Those complaints were reviewed by the Senate Ethics Committee, which did not take disciplinary action. Gallego has previously denied wrongdoing and characterized earlier allegations as politically motivated.

Republican lawmakers have cited the latest report in calling for stronger ethics standards and greater transparency within Congress, while Democratic leaders have largely declined to comment publicly on the matter.

The issue is expected to remain part of the broader debate over congressional ethics and accountability as lawmakers continue to face scrutiny over standards of conduct in public office.