Senate approves new sexual harassment policy for Congress

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill




BY JORDAIN CARNEY - 05/24/18 01:56 PM EDT

The Senate cleared legislation on Thursday implementing a new policy for handling sexual harassment claims.

Senators passed the bill by voice vote roughly a day after the legislation was introduced. It will now be sent to the House, which passed its own legislation last year.

The bill, from Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), would reform the reporting process for victims of sexual harassment and would make members of Congress personally liable for any settlements. The legislation would eliminate a 30-day counseling period, a 30-day mediation phase and a 30-day "cooling off" period currently required for victims of sexual harassment under the Congressional Accountability Act.

For a senator to be found personally liable under the new legislation, a hearing officer, judge or the Senate Ethics Committee would have to find that a member personally harassed someone.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/389229-senates-approve-new-sexual-harassment-policy-for-congress

[sandensea]

1. Article 1: If you're a Republican, it's ok - and we'll even pay for any damages.

Article 2: If you're a Democrat, we'll make sure the story - even an unfounded allegation made by an obvious partisan - gets wall-to-wall coverage until you're forced to resign.

Article 3: See Articles 1 and 2.