In a shocking turn of events, Nebraska state Senator Steve Halloran is now under investigation for sexual harassment after his controversial reading of a graphic account of rape on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature. The investigation, announced by Senator Ray Aguilar, chairman of the Legislature's Executive Board, comes in response to a harassment complaint filed by Aguilar himself.

Aguilar emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe workplace for all members of the Legislature and legislative staff. He stated that the investigation would be thorough and conducted according to the Executive Board's policy. A panel of three lawmakers will oversee the investigation, hiring an outside investigator to delve into Halloran's actions. The findings of the investigation will be made public within 45 days.

The controversy erupted when Halloran repeatedly mentioned the name of a fellow lawmaker while reading a graphic excerpt from Alice Sebold's memoir, "Lucky." Halloran invoked the name "Sen. Cavanaugh," appearing to reference Democratic state Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, a female colleague. Halloran later claimed that he was actually referring to Cavanaugh's brother, Sen. John Cavanaugh, in an attempt to engage him in the debate about library obscenity and access to Sebold's book.

Following the reading, Cavanaugh expressed doubt in Halloran's claim, mentioning that he had approached her hours before and relayed the same graphic passage from the memoir. The incident left Cavanaugh visibly shaken, and she called out Halloran's cruelty, highlighting that women in the Legislature have also experienced sexual violence.

The scandal has drawn bipartisan backlash, with Republican Senator Julie Slama among the most vocal critics. Slama, who serves on the Executive Board and has publicly shared her own experience of harassment and assault, called for Halloran's resignation. She has also faced rape and death threats while serving in the Legislature.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time the Nebraska Legislature has been embroiled in scandal involving the mistreatment of women. In 2017, Senator Bill Kitner resigned after retweeting a comment that disparaged participants of a women's march. In 2022, Senator Mike Groene abruptly stepped down after admitting to taking unauthorized workplace photos of a female subordinate without her consent.

These incidents have prompted a closer examination of workplace harassment policies within the Legislature. Changes were made in response to concerns raised by women lawmakers who criticized the handling of the complaint against Groene.

As the investigation into Senator Halloran's actions gets underway, all eyes are on the Nebraska Legislature to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to address workplace harassment and promote a safe environment for all members and staff.