As chairwoman of the U.S. House Ethics Committee, U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) this week led its members in seeking swift passage of a bill to modify the Congressional Accountability Act, which includes protections against sexual harassment for legislative branch employees.
The Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) of 1995 Reform Act, H.R. 4924, sponsored on Feb. 5 by U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS), would revise administrative and judicial dispute resolution procedures for certain claims by employees alleging that employing offices have violated their CAA rights and protections, including protections against sexual harassment, according to the congressional record summary.
The bipartisan H.R. 4924, which has 38 cosponsors – including Rep. Brooks, who is an original cosponsor – received U.S. House approval on Feb. 6 and was received in the U.S. Senate for consideration on Feb. 7. The bill was referred the same day to the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where it has remained.
Likewise, the Senate passed its version of H.R. 4924 – the same-named S. 2952 – the same day the bipartisan bill was introduced on May 24 by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The House received S. 2952 on May 29. The measure has 43 cosponsors, including U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO).
“No further action has been taken on either version of the Congressional Accountability Act,” according to a Nov. 19 letter sent to House leaders signed by Rep. Brooks and the other nine Ethics Committee members.
“The Committee on Ethics takes allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination and other violations of workplace rights extremely seriously,” the members wrote. “As the ten Members of the Committee on Ethics – the only evenly divided committee in the House – we can assure you that not only do they have bipartisan support, but that there is a bipartisan consensus that the reforms are urgently needed.”
The lawmakers concluded that “it is imperative that Congress act quickly to pass legislation to reform the Congressional Accountability Act that includes the critical provisions of the House legislation.”
Such provisions include one that would eliminate the requirement that an employee participate in counseling and mediation before filing a claim with the Office of Compliance (OOC) alleging a violation. The OOC must investigate claims. If the OOC finds reasonable cause to believe there was a violation or is unable to make a determination, the OOC must conduct a hearing to consider the claim and render a decision, according to the congressional record.
“Members and employees alike should be able to work free from sexual harassment or discrimination of any kind,” according to the letter. “The American public must also have confidence that we in Congress not only view these issues with the seriousness they demand – but that we are taking action.”
Reforms to the Congressional Accountability Act, they said, “are sorely needed to protect the integrity of and public confidence in Congress, to ensure that the legislative branch remains a place where men and women want to serve, and to improve accountability on these vital issues.”