We knew that there were a lot of perks that come with the job of being a Member of Congress, but this is truly infuriating. Your tax dollars are paying to settle the sexual harassment complaints against Representatives and Senators. Plus, based on the way the special law that Congress wrote for itself is structured, the settlements are kept in absolute secrecy. The taxpayers never get to know which Senators and Representatives are spending our money to settle their sexual harassment cases!
The information came to light during a recent hearing of the House Committee on Administration. Congress set its own rules on sexual harassment as part of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. Since that time, 264 staffers have been paid more than $17 million in hush money after they were harassed on the job.
Congress also made it extremely difficult for staffers to file a harassment complaint against them! Before they are allowed to file a complaint, a victim is required to attend 30 days of mediation.
At least two current Members of Congress — one Republican and one Democrat — have used this taxpayer settlement money to keep their victims quiet. According to testimony before the House last week, one Member of Congress invited a female staffer to his home to drop off some paperwork and greeted the young woman in a towel. Then, of course, he dropped the towel as soon as she came inside. Your tax dollars at work!
Check out this clip featuring Laura Ingraham with more on this breaking news story.
