Washington, D.C. - November 29, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- On Tuesday, Congressman Tom Marino (PA-10), introduced H.R. 4458, legislation to ensure that taxpayer funds cannot be used to pay settlements resulting from sexual harassment by a Member of Congress. The bill also requires that the Ethics Committee consider the expulsion of a Congressman or Senator if they commit an act of sexual harassment.
Congressman Marino said the following regarding the introduction of this bill:
“Any form of sexual harassment in the workplace in completely unacceptable and Members of Congress should not be held to a different standard. As more information comes out regarding the secretive process for harassment complaints, it is clear that major changes need to be made.
It is unconscionable that Congressman and Senators have taxpayers foot the bill for their disgusting actions. My bill also requires the Ethics Committee to consider expulsion for any Member of Congress who commits an act of sexual harassment. There must be a serious review to determine whether someone is fit to serve in Congress based on the allegations.
My legislation takes a small, but important step, by ensuring that no taxpayer money can be used to settle harassment claims. This is a serious problem, and Congress must act.”
In the wake of media reporting on millions of dollars paid for more than 250 settlements to federal employees, Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has called for an investigation into the matter.
Fitzpatrick’s call for an investigation followed the Washington Post’s reporting that Congress has made 264 settlements with Capitol Hill employees for various infractions, including sexual harassment. The newspaper said the settlements totaled $17 million over 20 years.
In a statement the congressman said:
“It’s unbelievable – and unacceptable – that elected officials have been using taxpayer dollars to cover up sexual harassment suits for years. As if the American people needed another example of politicians playing by a different set of rules, this is an affront to the hardworking taxpayers forced to foot the bill for these heinous actions. I’m calling on the House Ethics Committee to fully investigate this misuse of taxpayer funds and will work with any member of Congress to prevent this type of abuse. Moreover, this Congress must stand with the victims of this harassment and take swift action to root out those who would sexually harass any other person, regardless of position or title.”
The investigation the congressman is calling for would be handled by the House Committee on Ethics, which enforces standards of ethics and behaviors. The bipartisan committee can forward suggestions on actions that can be taken against members of congress if they are found to have violated standards.
Since the Washington Post’s reporting on the settlements, BuzzFeed News broke the story that Democratic Congressman John Conyers of Michigan settled a complaint using funds from his office budget in 2015. The former employee said she lost her job after not falling for his sexual advances.
Despite calls for a list of settlements to be released, officials have not provided that information.
Fitzpatrick’s office noted that the first-term legislator is a co-sponsor of the Me Too Congress Act that would “set definitive criteria to address sexual harassment in all national legislative branch offices.”
On Wednesday, Congressman Todd Rokita released the following statement after working with Congressman Ron DeSantis (FL-6) to write bipartisan legislation to help ensure justice for victims of sexual harassment and put an end to taxpayers footing the bill to cover up allegations against members of Congress:
“Americans are sick and tired of the special treatment given to members of Congress," said Congressman Rokita. “This legislation will help get justice for victims, and prevent taxpayer dollars from being used as hush money to protect the careers of politicians faced with allegations of sexual harassment. When it comes to draining the swamp, this is a great place to start.”
The Rokita-DeSantis Legislation does the following:
· Prohibits the use of public funds to pay settlements or awards for sexual harassment or assault claims
· Discloses all payments previously made by the Office of Compliance on its website (the name of the victim is expressly prohibited from being disclosed)
· Requires perpetrators to reimburse the taxpayers with interest
· Prohibits non disclosure agreements as a precondition to initiate procedures to address sexual harassment or assault claims
· Permits victims of sexual harassment or assault to make public statements about their claim, regardless of any previously signed non disclosure agreement
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