Rancho Mirage, California — Bob Packwood, a former U.S. Senator from Oregon whose influential political career was ultimately marred by a significant sexual misconduct controversy, passed away on June 6, 2026, at a care facility. He was 93 years old.
Packwood spent nearly 27 years in the Senate, where he was recognized as a prominent figure in the Republican Party. His tenure came to an abrupt end in 1995 when the Senate Ethics Committee voted unanimously to recommend his expulsion following an extensive investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power. The probe, spanning more than two years and generating over 10,000 pages of evidence, significantly altered how Congress addressed issues of harassment.
The committee’s findings revealed that Packwood had made unwanted advances toward at least 17 women during his service. Additionally, he was accused of attempting to manipulate evidence to mislead investigators, including through his own diaries, which contained troubling entries. In one recorded reflection, he appeared to trivialize his actions by claiming he was fulfilling a “Christian duty” by initiating sexual encounters with a staff member.
Packwood’s resignation marked a historic and unusual moment for the Senate, as it was the first time a sitting senator faced expulsion since 1981. He announced his departure on the Senate floor the day after the committee’s vote. “I am aware of the dishonor that has befallen me,” he stated, emphasizing his acknowledgment of the gravity of the circumstances.
Before this scandal, Packwood was known as a major policymaker. He was instrumental in the 1986 tax reform legislation, which restructured the tax code during the Reagan administration. Initially skeptical about the ambitious overhaul, he worked closely with Democratic leaders to finalize the agreement, which removed the highest personal income tax rate and adjusted capital gains tax rates. This legislation remains influential in contemporary tax discussions.
Packwood also made waves in the late 20th century as one of the GOP’s early advocates for abortion rights, sponsoring legislation aimed at protecting those rights even before the landmark Supreme Court ruling of Roe v. Wade in 1973. His approach to issues shifted over time, notably in health care; having initially supported comprehensive plans, he eventually found himself opposing similar proposals during the 1990s as resistance within his party grew.
His resignation became a significant reference point in later discussions about sexual harassment in Congress. The subsequent release of his tapes established a new precedent regarding the scope of what personal records the Ethics Committee could access, reshaping the landscape surrounding congressional accountability.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, who succeeded Packwood, reflected on his complex legacy during a recent interview. He noted that while Packwood’s contributions to tax policy and abortion rights deserve recognition, they are overshadowed by the serious allegations against him. “His horrible history as documented in his own diaries,” Wyden observed, “will forever overshadow that public record.”
Packwood is survived by his wife, two children, two stepchildren, and three grandchildren, leaving behind a complicated legacy marked by both significant policy achievements and profound personal failings.