Senator ‘sorry’ as US Congress targets harassment

WASHINGTON: An ‘ashamed’ US senator said he would work to regain the people’s trust Monday after being accused of sexual misconduct, as Congress moved to root out harassment with allegations now targeting several sitting lawmakers.

Democrat Al Franken, a former comedian and darling of the political left, offered a fresh apology as he returned to Capitol Hill following the Thanksgiving break, a day after a veteran fellow Democrat, John Conyers, quit his leadership position over similar claims of misconduct.

Compounding the discomfort in Washington, President Donald Trump — who himself has faced harassment accusations — has doubled down on his support for Roy Moore, the embattled Republican Senate candidate from Alabama who stands accused of molesting teenage girls as young as 14.

But in a sign of the sensitivity surrounding Moore — whose candidacy has been disavowed by Republican Party leaders — the White House also said Trump would not be stumping for the controversial former judge.

The world of Washington politics has been rocked by allegations of harassment in its ranks, following broader revelations of endemic sexual misconduct in Hollywood and the media, and lawmakers returned from a week-long break determined to right a listing ship.

The Senate recently voted to make anti-harassment training mandatory for all senators and staff, while the House of Representatives votes on a similar measure this week.

With fresh allegations targeting two unnamed lawmakers, a congresswoman introduced a bill that would overhaul the antiquated process for filing harassment complaints to allow for greater transparency, accountability, and victim support.

The Congressional Office of Compliance acknowledged last week that it has paid victims over US$17 million in settlements since 1997.