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House adopts resolution to publish settlement data for sexual-harassment cases involving members and staff
Summary
The House adopted H.Res. 1399 directing the Committee on Ethics and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to release consolidated lists and aggregate totals of taxpayer-funded settlement amounts for sexual-harassment-related matters; the measure passed overwhelmingly.
The House adopted H.Res. 1399 on June 30, a privileged resolution directing the Committee on Ethics and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to publish consolidated records and aggregate totals for monetary settlements that involved sexual harassment, sexual abuse or sexual misconduct.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who offered the resolution, said the steps were necessary to increase transparency about how taxpayer funds have been used to resolve workplace conduct cases and to clarify which offices have paid settlements and when members were required to reimburse funds. "Transparency is essential for accountability in government," Massie said on the floor.
The House recorded the vote on the resolution and reported 420 yeas, zero nays and one voting present; the resolution passed by a large margin.
Why it matters: The resolution changes the disclosure posture for congressional settlements and aims to make it easier for the public to see whether taxpayer funds were used in cases involving sexual harassment or similar claims. The measure does not itself create criminal liability or replace investigative or adjudicative processes but requires publication of historical settlement data.
What’s next: House officers and committee staff will prepare consolidated lists and aggregate totals as directed by the resolution; stakeholders urged careful attention to privacy and legal constraints during public release.
