Speaker Paul D. Ryan has removed Rep. Patrick Meehan from the Ethics Committee as the panel will now open an investigation looking into sexual misconduct allegations raised against him.

“Speaker Ryan takes the allegations against Mr. Meehan very seriously,” Ryan spokeswoman AshLee Strong said. “Though Mr. Meehan has denied the allegations, they must be fully and immediately investigated by the House Ethics Committee.”

Ryan spoke with Meehan on Saturday, and the Pennsylvania Republican agreed to submit himself to the Ethics Committee for review.

With the House set to pass a bipartisan bill to overhaul the process by which it handles claims of sexual harassment, “the speaker will apply these new standards to the allegations made against Mr. Meehan,” Strong said.

Watch: Former Congresswomen Reflect on Sexual Harassment Issues

“The new reforms going into place bar the use of taxpayer money to pay settlements, and so the speaker has also told Mr. Meehan that he should repay whatever taxpayer funds were used to settle this case,” she said.

Ryan apparently is not calling for Meehan’s resignation at this time.

“Any further action or comment will come pending a full and prompt investigation by the Ethics Committee,” Strong said.