> At a Glance
> – Nebraska lawmakers could expel Sen. Dan McKeon next week over alleged sexual misconduct
> – Outside report says he told a staffer to “get laid” and patted her buttocks at a party
> – If expelled, he would be the first in Nebraska history
> – Why it matters: The vote tests zero-tolerance policies in the #MeToo era
Nebraska lawmakers opened their 2026 session by confronting a first-of-its-kind decision: whether to expel Sen. Dan McKeon, a 59-year-old Republican, over allegations he made a sexually charged comment and inappropriately touched a staffer at a party last May.
The Allegations
An outside law firm hired by the Legislature’s Executive Board found that during a May 29 party at Lincoln Country Club, McKeon told the staffer she should “get laid” on her vacation and later patted her buttocks. McKeon claimed the “get laid” remark was a joke about getting a Hawaiian lei, though the report notes the woman wasn’t vacationing in Hawaii.
- Comment: “Get laid” joke during vacation discussion
- Touching: Patted her buttocks, which he later admitted could have been her rear end
- Context: Party attended by lawmakers, staffers and lobbyists
Investigative Findings
The report concluded McKeon’s behavior violated the Legislature’s workplace-harassment policy, though it did not meet the legal threshold for sexual harassment under state or federal law. Investigators noted he has “a reputation for making jokes” that are “unprofessional and/or inappropriate for the workplace.”
Timeline of key events:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 29 | Incident at Lincoln Country Club party |
| June 2 | Told to avoid staff social gatherings |
| Same night | Attended another party with staffers present |
| July | Sent Bible-themed forgiveness note to staffer |
| August | Texted colleague calling staffer “difficult” |
Political Fallout
Despite calls from Republican Gov. Jim Pillen and others to resign, McKeon refuses to step down. He faces a disturbing-the-peace misdemeanor filed by the Nebraska State Patrol and has pleaded not guilty.
Sen. McKeon said Wednesday:
> “It is what it is. I’m not going to cry about it or anything.”
The Legislature needs 33 votes to expel him. If that happens, McKeon would become the 57th state lawmaker nationwide to leave office following sexual-misconduct allegations since 2017.
Key Takeaways
- McKeon’s expulsion would mark Nebraska’s first-ever legislative expulsion
- At least 156 state lawmakers across 44 states have faced similar accusations since 2017
- The Executive Board will hold a hearing Monday; full Legislature could vote Tuesday
- McKeon plans to fight the charge and keep his seat
The outcome will signal whether Nebraska’s officially nonpartisan chamber enforces stricter standards than the legal minimum.
