QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Thanks to the #MeToo movement, the American public has made it clear that they have had enough.”
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., remarking on the House’s vote to prohibit sexual relationships between lawmakers and their employees
WASHINGTON — The House voted Tuesday to prohibit sexual relationships between lawmakers and their employees, a rule change that brings the institution in line with the military and the private sector after a rash of sexual harassment and misconduct allegations roiled Capitol Hill.
The prohibition, pushed by Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., took immediate effect as Congress moved toward changing the system for reporting and adjudicating employees’ claims of sexual harassment. The House approved language Tuesday establishing an office to advocate for employees during that process and a separate bill requiring lawmakers to reimburse taxpayers when they are involved in workplace settlements.
“Thanks to the #MeToo movement, the American public has made it clear that they have had enough,” said Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif. “They expect Congress to lead, and for once we are.”
The bipartisan bills are Congress’ most definitive response to the #MeToo campaign and the wave of harassment and misconduct scandals that have led to at least eight members resigning or announcing plans to retire in the past four months. Amid a national reckoning over sexual misbehavior in the workplace, news reports exposing lawmakers’ secretive process for settling harassment complaints with taxpayer dollars pushed House leaders to confront criticisms of the system.
“With this bill we are shining a blazing light on the scourge of workplace abuse, which has been allowed to fester in the shadows for too long,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
The bills cancel the requirement that accusers undergo counseling and mediation, and loosen confidentiality rules governing the complaint process.
Comstock supported the legislation but noted its failure to require the disclosure of which members of Congress have reached settlements over harassment claims.
“Part of that misuse of power is they can continue to know they won’t be held accountable, and the victims see that,” Comstock said.
The House approved both measures by voice vote under suspension of the rules, a method for fast-tracking noncontroversial bills.
Previously, House rules did not explicitly prohibit such relationships. The new rules bar lawmakers from engaging in “unwelcome sexual advances or conduct” toward colleagues and House employees but do not ban sexual relationships between lawmakers and staff they do not supervise.