Lance Backs Landmark Sexual Harassment Reform

Taxpayers would no longer foot the bill for sexual harassment settlements involving members of Congress under new bipartisan legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today added his name as an original cosponsor to H.R.4822, theCongressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act – bipartisan legislation crafted to improve protections for congressional staff and institute accountability reforms for lawmakers accused of sexual harassment.  Lance, a member of the House Ethics Committee, is the first New Jersey member of Congress to support the comprehensive rewrite of the laws governing how Capitol Hill handles sexual harassment complaints.

“It is time for accountability and reform.  The halls of Congress must be an environment free of sexual harassment, discrimination and other terrible behavior.  If a lawmaker commits such a terrible act and breaks the trust of the public that information must be public record and taxpayers should not be on the hook.  The people who come forward to serve their country need to know protections are in place and those offenders – no matter how powerful – will face accountability,” said Lance.

Included in the bipartisan reform proposal is legislative language mirroring Lance’s bill – H.R. 4481, the Ensure Transparency and Honesty in Congressional Settlements (ETHICS) Act – to end taxpayer-funded settlements of sexual harassment claims and other workplace disputes against members of Congress. 

“I am pleased that this landmark sexual harassment reform measure includes legislative language mirroring my bill that will increase government transparency and accountability concerning taxpayer-financed harassment settlements in Congress,” the Seventh District lawmaker said.

The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act would:

·        Provide House employees with immediate access to a dedicated advocate who will provide legal consultation, representation, and assistance in proceedings before the Office of Compliance and Committee on Ethics;

·        Streamline and strengthen the dispute resolution and reporting processes by allowing an employee to proceed to an investigation or to file in federal court;

·        Improve mediation services;

·        Hold members of Congress personally accountable for their conduct and require awards or settlements to be repaid by the lawmaker to the Treasury account within 90 days;

·        Ensure members of Congress who leave office will still be responsible for repaying the Treasury, including garnishing annuities to ensure full repayment;

·        Require the Office of Compliance to report and publish online every six months information on awards and settlements. Reports must include: the employing office; the amount of the award or settlement; the violation claim(s); and, when a claim was issued against a lawmaker, whether the lawmaker has personally repaid the Treasury account.

“Congress has the opportunity to lead on this important issue.  I urge the U.S. House to pass this measure, and I encourage other institutions to examine their own practices to ensure safe workplaces and accountability,” concluded Lance.  

A vote is expected in the U.S. House by the end of January.