In the wake of the
actions caught on tape by the “Kissing Congressman,” the House today approved a
$500,000 budget amendment to provide sexual harassment training for the members
of Congress and their staff.
actions caught on tape by the “Kissing Congressman,” the House today approved a
$500,000 budget amendment to provide sexual harassment training for the members
of Congress and their staff.
The new rule, approved
by a voice vote, was introduced by Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier of California
and was quickly applauded by Republican Rep. Candice Miller, chair of the
Committee on House Administration which oversees the legislative budget.
by a voice vote, was introduced by Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier of California
and was quickly applauded by Republican Rep. Candice Miller, chair of the
Committee on House Administration which oversees the legislative budget.
Speier said her bill was not prompted by the videotape
that surfaced in April showing Rep. Vance McAllister, a Louisiana Republican,
kissing a now-former staffer. The
scandal that followed resulted in McAllister’s announcement on Tuesday that he
will not seek re-election.
that surfaced in April showing Rep. Vance McAllister, a Louisiana Republican,
kissing a now-former staffer. The
scandal that followed resulted in McAllister’s announcement on Tuesday that he
will not seek re-election.
Speier said her amendment was intended to improve the
public’s perception of Congress.
“The American people expect us to conduct ourselves befitting the
responsibilities and duties we hold as members of Congress, not like we are
freshmen in a frat house,” she said.
The training sessions will inform people what their rights are after they
report an incident, and will cover what constitutes sexual harassment in the
workplace, according to The Hill.
public’s perception of Congress.
“The American people expect us to conduct ourselves befitting the
responsibilities and duties we hold as members of Congress, not like we are
freshmen in a frat house,” she said.
The training sessions will inform people what their rights are after they
report an incident, and will cover what constitutes sexual harassment in the
workplace, according to The Hill.
Here is the speech delivered by Miller, a Harrison Township
Republican, on the House floor in favor of the provision:
Republican, on the House floor in favor of the provision:
Madame Speaker, I rise to support this amendment, which provides
additional funds to the Congressional Office of Compliance. This is the
agency that is tasked with making sure that Members of Congress and, very
importantly, their staff are aware of what their individual rights are and how
to protect themselves against sexual harassment in the workplace.
additional funds to the Congressional Office of Compliance. This is the
agency that is tasked with making sure that Members of Congress and, very
importantly, their staff are aware of what their individual rights are and how
to protect themselves against sexual harassment in the workplace.
Unfortunately, sometimes it seems like the members are protected
but perhaps their staffs are not … as aware or protected as they need to
be. This is not a partisan issue; we have seen incidents over the years (on)
both sides of the aisles here. This week, I had met with the senior staff
of the Congressional Office of Compliance and their board of directors, and we
discussed what type of training might be helpful for when we put together our
new member orientation program in the fall, and various kinds of things they
can do.
but perhaps their staffs are not … as aware or protected as they need to
be. This is not a partisan issue; we have seen incidents over the years (on)
both sides of the aisles here. This week, I had met with the senior staff
of the Congressional Office of Compliance and their board of directors, and we
discussed what type of training might be helpful for when we put together our
new member orientation program in the fall, and various kinds of things they
can do.
And of course they need a bit more cash to be able to really step-up,
particularly with the Internet and various things they can do with awareness
training. That is why this amendment is very important.
particularly with the Internet and various things they can do with awareness
training. That is why this amendment is very important.
Congress needs to be
held to the highest standards, and at a minimum, we need to be held to the same
standards that we hold private business out in the marketplace regarding the workplace.
Every employee needs to work in an environment that they feel is free from
sexual harassment. And if they feel threatened in any way, they need to
be able to be sure that they understand their rights and what recourse they
have to protect themselves, without fear of retribution.
held to the highest standards, and at a minimum, we need to be held to the same
standards that we hold private business out in the marketplace regarding the workplace.
Every employee needs to work in an environment that they feel is free from
sexual harassment. And if they feel threatened in any way, they need to
be able to be sure that they understand their rights and what recourse they
have to protect themselves, without fear of retribution.
Congress needs to be a
leader on this issue, I really feel that by conducting awareness training (we) will
help stop any unfortunate situation, and if not stop it, then allow the
individual to protect themselves. That is an important thing for all of
us. I urge support for this amendment.
leader on this issue, I really feel that by conducting awareness training (we) will
help stop any unfortunate situation, and if not stop it, then allow the
individual to protect themselves. That is an important thing for all of
us. I urge support for this amendment.
