2 weeks ago
The House speaker, Mike Johnson, and nan number leader, Hakeem Jeffries, connected Wednesday announced a bipartisan effort to combat intersexual misconduct connected Capitol Hill.
The “partnership” led by nan chairs of nan Republican and Democratic women’s caucuses – congresswomen Kat Cammack of Florida and Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico – intends to “identify reforms and solutions to make Congress a safer activity situation for women and each survivors”, nan leaders said successful a associated statement.
“No female – sloppy of party, title, aliases position – should ever consciousness unsafe successful her workplace. Period,” Cammack said successful a connection announcing nan taskforce.
The inaugural comes aft erstwhile typical Eric Swalwell, a Democrat, stepped down from Congress successful April, pursuing aggregate allegations of intersexual battle and misconduct that ended his bid for California governor. Shortly after, Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, besides resigned aft acknowledging an extramarital matter pinch a staffer and facing a increasing threat of expulsion from his colleagues. At slightest 2 sitting lawmakers look progressive morals investigations, portion of a reckoning not seen connected Capitol Hill since nan #MeToo movement, erstwhile a activity of lawmakers resigned successful speedy succession amid allegations intersexual harassment and misconduct.
“As a begetter who has 2 daughters moving connected Capitol Hill – this is arsenic individual to maine arsenic it is to anyone,” Johnson said, praising nan House lawmakers who are starring nan effort he hopes will “make Capitol Hill safer for women and each staff”.
Jeffries said nan House leaders “support an ironclad argumentation truthful we tin bring astir a safe, master ambiance for each legislature unit members”.
According to nan announcement, projected reforms from nan women’s caucuses will beryllium developed successful coordination pinch nan House management committee, which has jurisdiction complete nan soul guidance of nan chamber, including workplace polices and protections.
“It is sickening that Congressmen sexually harassed and assaulted women unit alternatively of treating them pinch nan respect they deserved,” Fernández said successful nan statement. “We cognize these women are not unsocial – women crossed America person been sexually assaulted and harassed by men astatine activity who deliberation they will ne'er look immoderate consequences. We will proceed to guidelines pinch survivors, break nan silence, and conflict for a early free of intersexual misconduct – successful Congress and everyplace crossed this country.”
Fernández added that nan bipartisan taskforce would push for changes to make process of reporting intersexual misconduct “faster and much accessible” arsenic good arsenic expanding “education and training resources”.
