Congress sends bill to Trump for approval

WASHINGTON » Congress backed legislation on Thursday that would make lawmakers financially liable for sexual harassment settlements and eliminate unnecessary barriers to reporting workplace misconduct on Capitol Hill.

The swift passage of a compromise bill by the House and Senate revealed overwhelming bipartisan support for changing policies on Capitol Hill in response to the #MeToo movement after nearly seven months of negotiations. Last fall, Congress’ system for addressing lawmaker misconduct, including employee settlements funded by taxpayers, was criticized as unfairly protective of members of Congress over their aides.

The bill — passed less than 24 hours after a deal was announced — now goes to the White House for President Donald Trump’s signature.

Advocates welcomed the measure, which mandates an annual report of all settlements and awards and eliminates the confidentiality agreements required for accusers at the beginning of the existing process.

“That sound you’re hearing is the swamp draining when it comes to harassment in Washington, D.C.,” said Rep. Bradley Byrne, RAla., a leader of the reform effort. “It was important for the Congress to make this statement.”

The measure approved on Thursday only requires lawmakers to pay for settlements involving harassment and retaliation, not discrimination.