A Democratic congresswoman asked the Senate’s administrative operations to have a plan in place to prevent GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore from targeting any of the teenagers in the chamber’s page program, should he win election.
Rep. Gwen S. Moore, Wisconsin Democrat, said the reports of Mr. Moore’s pursuit of relationships with teens when he was a lawyer in his 30s, decades ago, demand action now.
“I urge you to be proactive in protecting Senate Pages,” Ms. Moore said in a Dec. 8 letter to the Senate sergeant-at-arms.
Mr. Moore has denied multiple allegations that he pursued relationships with girls ranging from 14 to 18 years of age. He faced Democratic candidate Doug Jones in a special election Tuesday.
The Senate’s page program allows teens ages 16 or 17 to assist with errands on the chamber floor, getting a close look at the operations of the Senate. They usually live in a dorm on Capitol Hill and take classes as well as helping on the chamber floor.
A similar program in the House was discontinued a decade ago after a Republican congressman, Rep. Mark Foley, was found to be sending flirty text messages to male pages. Mr. Foley resigned in 2006, and the scandal helped propel Democrats to massive wins in that November’s elections.
In the 1970s Democratic Rep. Gerry Studds pursued a relationship with a 17-year-old male page and made advances toward others. He was re-elected repeatedly.
Ms. Moore cited Mr. Foley in saying her fears and calls for action and preparation for Mr. Moore are justified.
“The nature of life on Capitol Hill necessitates long hours in close proximity to lawmakers and staff that can create power dynamics of which young people are not fully aware,” the congresswoman said. “It would be unconscionable for Congress to not be vigilant and proactive in taking precautions to safeguard these children given the well sourced allegations against Roy Moore.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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