U.S. House Would Require Members to Use Own Money to Pay for Harassment Settlements
The U.S. House has approved requiring members to use their own money to cover any harassment settlement, not taxpayer funds. Members must also report settlements online and cannot have sexual relations with those they supervise.
Michigan members of the U.S. House are praising a measure that would force lawmakers to use their own funds to settle harassment complaints.
The House is also banning members from having sexual relations with employees they supervise.
The proposal passed the House unanimously, a rare feat in the current political climate.
But Congress has been under fire to do something to improve the process of reporting and dealing with harassment on Capitol Hill.
That process has claimed several members recently including long-time Detroit Democrat John Conyers.
Now the House is requiring members to use their own money, not taxpayer funds, to settle any complaints.
And those settlements must be posted online every six months.
The legislation also streamlines the process for reporting harassment allegations.
Some Michigan members of Congress are welcoming the revisions.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) calls the plan “an important first step…that will help ensure tax dollars are never used to cover up bad behavior.”
U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield) adds that the measure will ensure what she calls “the basic right…to have a workplace free from harassment or discrimination.”
The requirement that members personally pay for any settlement must still be approved by the Senate.
