Blunt leads bipartisan deal on sexual harassment bill

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), chairman of the U.S. Senate Rules and Administration Committee, this week led a successful bipartisan negotiation with congressional leaders on proposed legislation that tackles sexual harassment on Capitol Hill. The U.S. Senate on Thursday subsequently approved the bill by unanimous consent.

“This bipartisan, bicameral agreement sends a clear message that harassment in any form will not be tolerated by the Congress,” Sen. Blunt said. “The reforms in this agreement will, most importantly, strengthen protections for victims and hold members of Congress personally accountable for their misconduct.”

Sen. Blunt and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), ranking member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, on Dec. 12 worked with other House and Senate leaders to reach the joint agreement on reforms to the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. On Dec. 13 the House and Senate passed their negotiated deal to overhaul how sexual harassment claims on Capitol Hill are handled, among numerous provisions. The legislation will soon be heading to the president to be signed into law.

“I appreciate Senator Klobuchar’s partnership, and the efforts of leaders in the House and Senate, who have come together to get this done,” said Sen. Blunt.

Sen. Klobuchar, who likewise thanked Sen. Blunt and congressional leaders for their work to finalize the bill, said the measure “fundamentally changes the way sexual harassment cases are handled.”

“For too long, victims of sexual harassment in Congress have been forced into a process that lacks transparency and accountability, and fails them at a time when they need the most support,” Sen. Klobuchar said. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation “will overhaul this broken process, ensure victims can immediately seek justice, and hold members of Congress accountable.”

According to the final text of the bipartisan legislation that was agreed upon by leaders in the Senate and House, the bill also would reform the dispute resolution process, protect workers and increase transparency, according to a statement released by Sen. Blunt’s office.

Among numerous provisions, the legislation would eliminate an existing 30-day “counseling” period requirement, as well as a required 30-day mediation phase and the 30-day “cooling off” period, according to Blunt’s statement.

Additionally, the legislation would allow a victim to immediately pursue an administrative hearing or file a civil action and federal lawmakers would be held personally liable and required to reimburse the U.S. Treasury Department for awards and settlements stemming from acts of harassment they personally commit. This would hold true even for members who have left office, his statement says.

The legislation also would provide employees with access to an advocate who would provide consultation and assistance regarding proceedings before the U.S. Office of Compliance; would extend protections under the Congressional Accountability Act to unpaid staff, including interns, detailees and fellows, and other legislative branch staff; and provide employees with the option to work remotely or request paid leave without fear of retribution, among several other provisions.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) tweeted support for the bill after the bipartisan agreement was reached and thanked Sens. Blunt and Klobuchar for their efforts to bolster “protections for victims. It ensures that it is members of Congress who will be held responsible for their own misconduct — not taxpayers.”