U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), chairman of the U.S. Senate Rules Committee, has proposed a bipartisan bill that, among several provisions, would require members of Congress to repay awards and settlements stemming from acts of harassment they personally commit, even after they’ve left office.
“This bipartisan agreement sends a clear message that harassment in any form will not be tolerated in the U.S. Congress,” the senator said.
The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act, which Sen. Blunt introduced on May 23 with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), ranking member of the Senate Rules Committee, would reform the overall dispute resolution process for sexual harassment claims and allegations of other workplace discrimination, protect congressional staff workers, and increase transparency that holds members of Congress accountable, according to a summary provided by Sen. Blunt’s staff.
“The major reforms in this agreement will, first and foremost, strengthen protections for harassment victims,” added Sen. Blunt. “The agreement will also enhance accountability and prevent taxpayers from footing the bill for a member’s misconduct.”
According to a summary from Sen. Blunt’s staff, the bill would eliminate the currently required 30-day counseling period, the required 30-day mediation phase, and the 30-day “cooling off” period, and would permit victims to immediately pursue an administrative hearing or file a civil action.
Specifically, the bill also would hold members of Congress personally liable by requiring them to reimburse the U.S. Treasury Department for awards and settlements resulting from harassment they personally commit, including members who leave office. And public reporting of awards and settlements that identify if a member of Congress was personally liable would be required under the bill.
Among other provisions, the bill would provide employees with access to a dedicated advocate who would consult and assist them regarding proceedings before the Office of Compliance; extend protections under the Congressional Accountability Act to unpaid staff, including interns, detailees and fellows, and other legislative branch staffers and offer them the chance to work remotely or request paid leave without fear of retribution; and would require the Office of Compliance to establish an electronic system for victims to file claims and to track claims.
Another bill titled the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act, S. 2401, was introduced on Feb. 7 by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA). S. 2401 has been referred for consideration to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where it was incorporated into the same-named H.R. 4924, which the committee received from the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 7.
The House proposal was introduced on Feb. 5 by U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS) and has 38 cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Susan Brooks (R-IN), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Ryan Costello (R-PA), Leonard Lance (R-NJ), and Michael Burgess (R-TX). U.S. Rep. Robert Brady (D-PA) is an original cosponsor of H.R. 4924.
“Workplace harassment is a widespread problem that affects too many men and women in too many places, professions and industries,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “Congress isn’t immune to it – for too long victims of workplace harassment in the Senate have been forced into a process that is stacked against them. That’s why for months we have been working with a bipartisan group of senators to change the process.”
Sen. Blunt commended the bipartisan partnership he and Sen. Klobuchar reached to introduce their new bill and said he looks “forward to continuing our work to swiftly move a bill through the Senate.”