Bipartisan legislation released Thursday would require members of Congress, instead of taxpayers, to pay any settlements over sexual harassment themselves, a change to a secretive system that has been in place for decades, NBC News reported.
The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act is a result of work by both parties, after sexual harassment allegations have led to resignation or retirement for half a dozen lawmakers in Congress, the report said.
The legislation also provides more rights and resources for victims when they file a sexual harassment complaint, and aims to make the system more publicly transparent, NBC reported.
The legislation "goes a long way toward preventing future bad behavior," said Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Miss., in an interview with NBC News before the release of the bill.
"What we want to do is create — and I think we're seeing it already — a sea change in the culture in the members and the staff," said Harper, who helped write the legislation with Rep. Bob Brady, D-Pa.
"It's been a very bipartisan and cooperative effort," Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., said in the report.
The bill bans lawmakers from using taxpayer money for settlements. Money paid out by taxpayers for sexual harassment settlements hit $199,000 in the previous 10 years, according to a December NBC News report.
The accused must reimburse the U.S. Treasury within 90 days of a settlement or face wage garnishment. If that does not provide enough funding, a member's retirement account and Social Security could also be garnished, the report said.
"We're going to wipe this kind of behavior out from a financial standpoint if nothing else," Speier said in the NBC report.
"Those who have gone through this process have felt a little overwhelmed. Now you've got somebody who's got your interest at heart," Harper said in the report.
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