New Bill Introduced To Expose Secret Misconduct Settlements

There have been loads of taxpayer-funded settlements for misconduct in DC. Now a new bill introduced to expose those who had secret misconduct settlements.

Hawaii Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is one of the bill's sponsors. Gabbard says enough is enough when it comes to politicians getting away with sexual misconduct.

Per Daily Wire:

"For far too long sexual predators have roamed freely through the halls of Congress — the people’s house — while survivors of sexual harassment and assault have essentially been isolated, bullied and shamed into silence," Gabbard said.

The new bill, the Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act, as Fox Newsexplains, "would require the disclosure, within 30 days, of all settlement payments along with the lawmakers involved and the nature of the allegations."

The bill will also prohibit the future use of taxpayer money for sexual harassment and assault settlements and prohibit the use of office budgets to "mask payments."

In perhaps the most controversial aspect of the bill, it would require any member who has ever been a part of a settlement paid for by taxpayer dollars to reimburse the federal government "with interest."

Sexual misconduct claims have hit Washington hard in recent weeks as high-profile members Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) have been accused of sexual harassment and groping.

Some details on the new bill, per House.gov:

H.R. 4494, The Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act will:

• Require disclosure within 30 calendar days of all settlement payments funded by taxpayers, the reason for the payment and the nature of the allegation, and the member of Congress or congressional staffer implicated in the matter.
• Prohibit the future use of taxpayer dollars to pay sexual harassment and sexual assault claims against members of Congress and staff.
• Prohibit members of Congress from using office budgets to camouflage payments.
• Require members of Congress and staff that have ever been named in a sexual harassment or sexual assault settlement paid for by taxpayers reimburse the U.S. Treasury with interest.
• Any individual who received an award may make public statements about the claims notwithstanding the terms of a nondisclosure agreement and nondisclosure agreements cannot be made a condition of any future settlements.

Obviously with recent stories this is an issue that has been pushed to the forefront. It's good to see Rep. Tulsi Gabbard taking action and holding people accountable for their disgusting acts that were being covered up by taxpayer dollars.