Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia , Monday, July 25, 2016. Photo: Paul Sancya / AP
Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is introducing new legislation to address the issue of sexual harassment on Capitol Hill. "Congress should never be above the law or play by their own set of rules," Gillibrand said in a statement, per Politico."The current process has little accountability and even less sensitivity to victims of sexual harassment."
Why it matters: After allegations of harassment and assault against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, reports surfaced that many women lawmakers on the Hill have experienced similar situations from their colleagues. Sexual harassment prevention training isn't mandatory for lawmakers and those who allege misconduct against their coworkers are required to take a 30-day "meditation" period before filing formal complaints.
Gillibrand's proposed bill would go beyond simply requiring mandatory sexual harassment prevention training for members; it would also include a complete overhaul of the office that manages workplace misconduct on the Hill, the Office of Compliance. It would also grant interns on the Hill to file harassment complaints in the same way as full-time employees, as well as require every congressional office to publicly post information about employees' rights.
Some of the lawmakers who have come forward, sharing their stories with The Associated Press:
- Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) said when she was a new member of Congress, a more senior, married member "outright propositioned" her. He's still in Congress. She also alleged a different male colleague repeatedly ogled her and one time even touched her inappropriately on the House floor.
- Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said back in the 1980s, a male colleague made a sexually suggestive comment that he wanted to "associate with the gentle lady."
- Former Rep. Mary Bono (R-Calif.) said she endured comments from one member for years, including him telling her he'd been thinking about her in the shower.
- Former Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) said she remembers repeated unwanted harassing overtures from one lawmaker.
- Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) last week said she was "forcibly kissed by the male chief of staff in her office" when she was a young aide on the Hill, per Politico.