(Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg News)Senate lawmakers are stepping up their scrutiny of congressional sexual harassment complaints and taxpayer-funded settlements as pressure mounts on Congress to disclose information about the alleged misconduct of lawmakers. The House Administration Committee held a hearing on Dec. 7 to discuss critiques and suggestions about the sexual harassment complaint and settlement process in Congress. Last week, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, which has oversight authority over the Office of Compliance on the Senate side, requested a breakdown of settlements from the office. Only one settlement involved a sexual harassment claim: a complaint filed against Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Tex. In the House, lawmakers are debating changes to the Congressional Accountability Act, which established the current rules that govern how most sexual harassment settlements are reached through formal channels.

Source: Washington Post December 07, 2017 21:33 UTC