A bill dealing with how Congress handles sexual harassment claims was passed in the Senate on Thursday, a clear indication that Capitol Hill has also been affected by the widespread MeToo movement.
The new legislation allows individuals to request an immediate hearing or civil action on their claim, instead of the mandatory 90-day waiting period. Members of Congress will also be obliged to reimburse the government for any monetary settlements resulting from harassment by them. The bill, which was introduced by Senators Roy Blunt and Amy Klobuchar, passed without any senators objecting to it.
“The world is changing, and the Senate needs to change with it, and I would argue the Senate should be in the lead,” Klobuchar said in a speech on the Senate floor.
In a statement, Blunt pointed out that the “bipartisan agreement sends a clear message that harassment in any form will not be tolerated in the U.S. Congress.”
This year has seen the resignations of seven members of the House and one senator following revelations of sexual misconduct. The House Ethics Committee said on Thursday that Pennsylvania Republican Patrick Meehan has fulfilled his promise to repay the government $39,000 for the settlement he had paid to a staffer accusing him of sexual harassment.
The Senate bill would mandate public reporting of settlements, including identifying whether a member of Congress is liable. It would also offer protections under the Congressional Accountability Act to unpaid staff, such as interns, fellows and government agency employees on loan to Congress.
A similar bill was passed in February by the House, also by voice vote. The Senate version now has to be taken up by the House before it’s sent to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed.
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