Reps. Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene have called for the release of a secret list of current and former members of Congress who have used taxpayer money to settle sexual harassment claims. Massie stated that over $17 million of taxpayer money has been used to settle harassment charges in Congressional offices and believes that the names of the Representatives should be disclosed. Greene also expressed her support for releasing the list, stating that taxpayers should not have to pay for such settlements or any other inappropriate expenses.
The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights has paid out over $17 million in public money to settle nearly 300 cases of workplace disputes at the US Capitol since 1997. These cases include claims related to sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and pay disputes. However, the office does not disclose the identities of the individuals involved in these settlements, nor does it provide a breakdown of how much money was specifically related to sexual harassment claims. Cases involving workers not employed in the House or Senate are also handled by this office.
Members of Congress who have settled sexual harassment claims outside of the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, such as the late former Rep. John Conyers, would not be included in the secret list. Former House Republicans, Mo Brooks and Jason Chaffetz, have expressed their support for releasing the names on the “sex slush fund.” They both believe that taxpayer money should not be used to secretly bail out harassers and individuals responsible for inappropriate behavior, and that taxpayers deserve to know where their money is being spent.
The demands made by Massie and Greene come after a House Ethics Committee report into allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use against Rep. Matt Gaetz was released. Gaetz, who had resigned from Congress, suggested a plan that involved briefly returning to Capitol Hill in order to expose those on the secret list. He proposed showing up for the Speaker election, taking the oath, and filing a privileged motion to reveal every ‘me too’ settlement paid using public funds, including those involving former members. Some GOP lawmakers are reportedly circulating a draft resolution to support Gaetz’s idea.
The issue of using taxpayer money to settle sexual harassment claims within Congress has sparked a debate among lawmakers and garnered support from both sides of the political spectrum. Massie, Greene, Gaetz, and other former House Republicans are advocating for transparency and accountability in handling such cases, as well as ensuring that taxpayer funds are not misused or wasted on inappropriate expenses. The push to release the names on the secret list signals a desire for greater transparency and responsibility within Congress, as well as a commitment to addressing workplace misconduct and harassment.
