[W]ASHINGTON — Members of Vermont’s congressional delegation say Congress must find a way to better handle sexual misconduct allegations on Capitol Hill.
Sexual harassment policies have been under the microscope in both chambers of Congress as reports of misconduct by high-profile lawmakers have emerged.
Michigan Democrat Rep. John Conyers settled a complaint in 2015 by a former employee who alleged she was dismissed from her job because she didn’t accept his advances, according to Buzzfeed. Conyers acknowledged the settlement. Hid office paid the woman more than $27,000, but denies the sexual harassment claims.
Top Democrats, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, called for Conyers’ resignation last week. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., both said they believe he should step down.
Also, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., has been accused of groping multiple women. The allegations relate to the time before he was a senator, when he was a comedian.
The Senate Ethics Committee announced last week that it will investigate the allegations against Franken. Both Leahy and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., support the investigation of Franken, but neither has called for his resignation.
In a statement, Sanders also stopped short of calling for Conyers to step down and said an investigation into accusations against the longtime House member and civil rights activist should be allowed to play out.
“Those investigations should move as quickly as possible and be allowed to proceed without interference,” Sanders said.
The accusations against top lawmakers come as high-profile figures in Hollywood, state politics, media and other industries have come forward about workplace sexual misconduct.
Many in Congress say there is a need to revamp policies for preventing and punishing sexual misconduct.
The House adopted a resolution by unanimous voice vote Wednesday mandating anti-harassment training for all members and their staffs. The Senate approved a similar resolution earlier this month.
Welch said in an interview last week that sexual harassment is “obviously” a problem in Congress.
“Bottom line, we should have zero tolerance,” he said.
Welch said the measures in place now to deal with sexual misconduct allegations are “not sufficient.” He’s backing a push by Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., to improve the process for investigating allegations in Congress.
According to Politico, congressional offices are left to set their internal policies on sexual harassment with little guidance.
Sanders’ office also has a similar policy, according communications aide Josh Miller Lewis.
Under Leahy’s office policy, employees who have experienced sexual harassment can report it to the chief of staff, administrative director or state director. The handbook states that complaints will be investigated and punishment for substantiated incidents can range up to firing.
“We’ve always tried I know in our office to make sure everybody understands they’ve got key men and key women in the office they can go and talk with if they have any problem,” Leahy said. “Whether it’s in my office or anybody else’s office.”
Leahy also called for Conyers to resign. He has urged investigation into the allegations against Franken.
“I’ve never seen anything, either one of them do (anything) like that,” Leahy said.
Welch hailed a broader effort to address sexual misconduct across industries.
“I think that’s a very constructive change in tone, not just in Congress, but I think in society,” Welch said.
Sanders also underscored that he sees sexual harassment as a major issue.
“Sexual harassment is a very serious issue in Congress, in corporate America, in the entertainment industry and in the media,” he said in comments to VTDigger last week. “It is an issue that our nation must address so that no matter where women are employed, they can work in an environment that is safe and comfortable.”
