Sexual Misconduct Reform Headed to Rare Bipartisan Victory in Congress

Amid partisan fights on spending and immigration that briefly shut down the federal government, Congress is nearing the finish line on a bipartisan bill that would change how sexual harassment claims are handled on Capitol Hill.

Legislation that could get a vote on the House floor as early as Tuesday would lift hurdles for victims to pursue their claims, while shifting financial penalties to the harassers.

The updated Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act incorporates changes pushed by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough), who has pursued reform of harassment policies for years. The effort has gained momentum as members of both parties have resigned due to harassment scandals.

Speier explained the measure to her constituents at a town hall meeting in Pacifica on Saturday. Cheers swelled into thunderous applause as she outlined the financial penalties for members of Congress who settle harassment claims against them.

"The member will be required to within 90 days reimburse the U.S. Treasury or have their salary garnished, their thrift plan garnished and their Social Security garnished," Speier said.

The CAA Reform Act is scheduled for a committee markup hearing on Monday, and Speier said "it’s being sped through the process intentionally."

The legislation moves Congress away from handling sexual harassment complaints quite differently from most employers.

Under the bill, House employees would get legal representation as they pursue a harassment claim, a service previously provided only to the accused party. Victims would no longer have to go through a 30-day mediation, a 30-day counseling period and 30 days of "cooling off" before an investigation moves forward.

"It is finally going to be a process by which the victims are going to be protected," Speier said.

In November, House Speaker Paul Ryan announced that all House members and staff would be required to take anti-sexual harassment and anti-discrimination training.

The CAA Reform Act has more than a dozen co-sponsors from both parties and is expected to easily advance to the Senate.

"We have come together, Republicans and Democrats," Speier said. "We’re not just changing the culture of Congress. We’re changing the culture of the United States as it relates to how you treat women."