Nebraska Lawmakers Consider Historic Expulsion Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Nebraska lawmakers began their 2026 legislative session Wednesday with an unprecedented motion to expel Republican Senator Dan McKeon, accused of sexually inappropriate behavior toward a legislative staffer. If approved in next week’s vote, it would mark the first-ever expulsion of a senator from the Nebraska Legislature.

The 59-year-old McKeon, who serves in Nebraska’s officially nonpartisan unicameral legislature, allegedly told a female staffer she should “get laid” during her vacation and inappropriately touched her buttocks at a May 2023 gathering at the Lincoln Country Club. The event was attended by numerous lawmakers, staff members, and lobbyists.

An independent investigation conducted by an outside law firm concluded that McKeon violated the legislature’s workplace harassment policy. While the report determined his actions didn’t rise to the level of actionable sexual harassment under state or federal discrimination laws, it stated lawmakers “may, in their discretion, censure, reprimand or expel the senator for his conduct and comments.”

According to the investigation, McKeon and the staffer had been discussing vacation plans when he asked if she was “going to Hawaii to get laid.” When questioned, McKeon characterized his remark as a joke about receiving a Hawaiian lei. The report noted that “Complainant was not vacationing in Hawaii so this comment was inconsistent with the discussion of vacation plans.”

McKeon initially denied touching the woman but later acknowledged he might have touched her “back or lower back ‘or even rear end,'” though he insisted it wasn’t sexually motivated.

The report revealed troubling follow-up behavior. Despite being instructed by Executive Board Chairman Senator Ben Hansen not to attend social gatherings where staffers would be present, McKeon attended another party that same evening where the complainant was present.

Weeks later, at Hansen’s urging to take responsibility, McKeon sent the woman a note suggesting she should forgive him “because that is what the Bible instructs people to do.” In August, he texted another staffer who shares an office with the complainant, saying she “seems to be difficult to work with.”

The Nebraska State Patrol’s investigation resulted in a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace against McKeon. He has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charge.

When approached during Wednesday’s opening session, McKeon declined to comment directly on the report but made religious references, noting his name means “just” in Hebrew and remarking “we’re all sinners” when questioned about allegations of inappropriate workplace jokes.

Despite calls for resignation from Republican leaders, including Governor Jim Pillen, McKeon stated he has no intention of stepping down. He appeared resigned to the possibility of expulsion, saying he expects any full legislature vote to “be pretty close” and adding, “It is what it is. I’m not going to cry about it or anything.”

The Legislature’s Executive Board will hold a hearing on the expulsion resolution Monday. If approved in committee, the full Legislature could debate and vote as early as Tuesday. Expulsion requires 33 votes to pass.

This case emerges amid increased scrutiny of sexual misconduct in state legislatures nationwide. Since 2017, when the #MeToo movement gained momentum, at least 156 state lawmakers across 44 states have faced accusations of sexual harassment or misconduct. Of those, 56 have either resigned or been expelled, while a nearly equal number have faced other consequences such as losing leadership positions.

If McKeon is expelled, he would become the 57th state lawmaker nationwide to leave office due to sexual misconduct allegations since 2017, either through resignation or expulsion.