Lawmakers push to reveal names in $17M Congress harassment settlements
3 Min Read
The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR) has noted that many cases involve employees not directly affiliated with the House or Senate, such as those working for the Library of Congress or the Capitol Police.
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The Capitol is pictured in Washington, on Friday, December 20, 2024. (AP)
Republican Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia have called on Congress to release the names of members who used public funds to settle workplace disputes, including claims of sexual harassment. Since 1997, over $17 million has been paid out in such cases.
Massie took to X on Thursday to draw attention to the issue, stating, "Congress has secretly paid out more than $17 million of your money to quietly settle charges of harassment (sexual and other forms) in Congressional offices." He insisted that the identities of those involved must be disclosed to the public.
Greene echoed Massie's concerns on X, expressing her desire to release the "congressional sexual slush fund list." She argued that taxpayers should never have been responsible for funding these settlements or "all the other garbage that they should not have to pay for."
Settlement secrets
The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR), which was established in 1995, oversees these settlements. From 1997 to 2017, the office facilitated payments totaling over $17 million to resolve nearly 300 complaints, including those related to sexual harassment, discrimination, and pay disputes. However, the OCWR does not reveal the names of those implicated.
Former lawmakers, including Mo Brooks of Alabama and Jason Chaffetz of Utah, have voiced support for the call to release these names. Brooks stated, "Taxpayer money should never be used to secretly bail out harassers," adding that personal accountability is essential to deter such behavior. Chaffetz agreed, emphasizing that taxpayers deserve greater transparency.
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The push for accountability has been reignited following a House Ethics Committee report accusing former Representative Matt Gaetz of illegal activities, including using drugs and paying for sex, allegedly with a minor. Gaetz has strongly denied these allegations and has proposed exposing the names linked to harassment settlements.
The OCWR has noted that many cases involve employees not directly affiliated with the House or Senate, such as those working for the Library of Congress or the Capitol Police. Additionally, settlements reached outside the OCWR's framework, like a 2015 case involving the late Democratic Representative John Conyers, are not included in the reported figures.
