Congress’ own scandal

WASHINGTON — Rep. Jackie Speier, D-calif., who testified that two sitting members of Congress have engaged in sexual harassment, said Wednesday that she is barred from identifying one member because of a nondisclosure agreement, and isn’t identifying the second lawmaker at the victim’s request.

Currently, victims are required to undergo counseling, mediation and a 30-day “cooling off period” before filing a formal complaint with the Office of Compliance.

A bill introduced Wednesday , cosponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand,

D-N.Y., would eliminate nondisclosure agreements as a condition of initiating mediation and mandate that offices that have complaints be publicly listed. Jones by 12 points — 39 percent to 51 percent — in the survey conducted on Sunday and Monday. Moore led by 9 points the week before in the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s internal numbers.

Moore faced fresh allegations Wednesday.

Gena Richardson told The Washington Post she agreed to a date with Moore in 1977, around her

18th birthday, when Moore was 30. Richardson said the date ended with giving her an unwanted, “forceful” kiss.

”I never wanted to see him again,” Richardson told the Post.

Becky Grey, who worked in the same mall as Richardson in 1977, said Moore was so persistent about asking her out that she complained to her manager. Grey was 22 at the time.

Ivanka Trump weighed in on the scandal, saying Wednesday: “There’s a special place in hell for people who prey on children. I’ve yet to see a valid explanation, and I have no reason to doubt the victims’ accounts.”