Reps seek transparency on Congressional settlements
WASHINGTON – Tennessee Reps. Marsha Blackburn and Jim Cooper are joining with three other U.S. House members to try to out Congress members who have used taxpayer funds to settle sexual harassment claims.
The lawmakers announced Wednesday they are filing bipartisan legislation that would revamp the secret taxpayer-funded system that is currently used to settle harassment claims.
The bill would specifically bar the use of public funds to pay settlements or awards for claims of sexual harassment or assault and would require the public release of the names of any Congress member who has used a confidential Treasury Department fund to settle such claims in the past.
“Let’s end these personal bailouts,” Blackburn, R-Brentwood, said at a news conference. “We’re at a point where women are saying enough is enough.”
“No more cover-ups,” said Cooper, D-Nashville. “We need transparency, safety and appropriate behavior. Sexual misconduct has no place here, or anywhere.”
The legislation comes amid a flood of sexual harassment allegations across the country, including some that involve members of Congress.
In response, the House approved a separate bill Wednesday requiring sexual harassment training for members of Congress and their staff.
The bill that Blackburn and Cooper are cosponsoring would require the congressional Office of Compliance to publicly disclose on its website all previously made payments to settle sexual assault claims. The legislation specifies that the victims’ names could not be made public.
Any Congress member who has used the confidential Treasury Department fund to settle sexual harassment claims since 1995 would be required to reimburse the government, with interest.
In addition, the bill also would prohibit nondisclosure agreements as a precondition to address sexual harassment or assault claims. It also would permit victims of sexual harassment or assault to make public statements about their claim, regardless of any previously signed nondisclosure agreement.
Besides Blackburn and Cooper, the bill’s other sponsors are Reps. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, and Kathleen Rice, D-NY.