> At a Glance
> – Nebraska senators may expel Sen. Dan McKeon over alleged inappropriate conduct
> – Report finds he told a staffer to “get laid” and touched her inappropriately at a party
> – If expelled, McKeon would be the first in state history and 57th nationwide since 2017
> > Why it matters: The vote tests Nebraska’s zero-tolerance stance on workplace misconduct in the #MeToo era.
Nebraska lawmakers opened their 2026 session with an explosive motion: whether to expel Sen. Dan McKeon after an outside investigation found he violated the legislature’s workplace harassment policy. The 59-year-old Republican, first elected in 2014, faces removal over incidents at a May 29 party last year.
What the Investigation Found
The outside law-firm report, released Wednesday, says McKeon joked that a female staffer should “get laid” on vacation and then patted her buttocks at the Lincoln Country Club event. McKeon later claimed he was referencing a Hawaiian lei, but the staffer wasn’t traveling to Hawaii.
Key findings:
- McKeon admitted he “may have” touched her “rear end” but denied sexual intent
- He was told to avoid staff-only socials yet attended another party the same night
- A follow-up text called the complainant “difficult to work with”
Possible Consequences
The Legislature’s Executive Board will hold a Monday hearing on the expulsion resolution. If advanced, the full body could vote as soon as Tuesday, needing 33 votes to remove McKeon.
| Outcome | Historical Context |
|---|---|
| Expulsion | Would be Nebraska’s first ever |
| Resignation | 56 state lawmakers have resigned or been expelled nationwide since 2017 |
| Other penalty | Censure or reprimand still possible |
Despite calls from Gov. Jim Pillen and GOP leaders to resign, McKeon refuses to quit, saying, “It is what it is. I’m not going to cry about it.”
Key Takeaways
- McKeon faces a misdemeanor disturbing-the-peace charge and has pleaded not guilty
- At least 156 state legislators nationwide have faced sexual-misconduct allegations since 2017
- Nebraska’s officially nonpartisan Legislature now sets a national precedent on accountability
The vote next week will decide whether Nebraska joins the growing list of states forcing lawmakers out over verified harassment claims.
