American taxpayers can thank Democrats for a staggering bill of over $300,000 in settling sexual harassment claims under former President Barack Obama’s administration.
Data from the Office of Compliance has been released by the Committee on House Administration, revealing that $342,225.85 in taxpayer funds were paid to settle or award in cases of sexual harassment and discrimination against House members between 2008 and 2012.
House Administration Committee releases new stats on settlements of claims made against member offices. pic.twitter.com/tVDMOEJvMu
— Dorey Scheimer (@DoreyScheimer) December 19, 2017
The report, “part of the Committee on House Administration’s extensive review of sexual harassment and discrimination in the congressional workplace,” followed revelations that taxpayers were footing the bill for settlements and awards in cases involving misconduct by lawmakers, rather than the lawmakers themselves.
Though the names of the accused were not released, the use of the money showed how lawmakers have been settling claims using congressional funds as Michigan Democrat John Conyers, who resigned from the House this month, did with a $27,000 sexual harassment complaint.
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Michigan Republican Rep. Gregg Harper, chairman of the committee, was presented with the data and said in the press release:
“As I have stated from the beginning of this review, one case of sexual harassment is one case too many. We must create a culture within our Capitol Hill community that instills in every employee and employer, new and old, that there is no place for sexual harassment in the halls of Congress. As part of my Committee’s review, I asked the Office of Compliance for a breakdown of the $17 million total amount that has been reported by their office for all cases involving claims of violations of the Congressional Accountability Act. We released the original data provided to the Committee on December 1. The OOC has provided our Committee with additional information from FY2008 through FY2012 involving offices within the House of Representatives. The Committee has yet to receive all of the information we requested. We will continue to investigate the OOC’s record keeping practices as part of our extensive review.”
Details from the OOC report revealed that $85,000 was paid out for “sexual harassment and harassment because of retaliation” claims while another $20,000 was paid out for “sexual harassment because of retaliation & sex discrimination” charges.
Another $12,240.00 was paid out in claims against “Non-Member-led Offices” during the same four-year period, according to the OOC, bringing the total of “Settlement Amounts for All House Offices (2008-2012)” to $354,465.85.
On Tuesday, the Committee approved guidelines to implement new sexual harassment and discrimination training.
Guidelines for Comstock Mandatory Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination Training Adopted In House Administration Committee Today. #VA10 https://t.co/0AMEHImuC1 pic.twitter.com/HlFZjPy3sR
— Barbara Comstock (@RepComstock) December 19, 2017
Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis called for passing his proposed Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act in reaction to the sexual-harassment settlements, saying taxpayers deserved to “get the complete accounting of all settlements paid with their money.”
This ad hoc disclosure is completely inadequate. We need to pass my Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act so taxpayers get the complete accounting of all settlements paid with their money. https://t.co/8IjVthLMzN
— Ron DeSantis (@RepDeSantis) December 19, 2017
Social media users reacted to the figures on Twitter, many demanding a “refund.”
Does This Make You Angry? American Taxpayers Foot $342,225.85 for Secret Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Settlements During Obama’s First Term in Office, 2008 and 2012. #ExposeThemAll!https://t.co/9ihasZcnXE
— Glenn Quagmire ? (@marklar1969) December 20, 2017
I’d like my tax dollars to be reimbursed, these jackass’s should also have to donate to any & all charitable organizations that can help their victims!
— Vernon Gibson (@VGat9300) December 20, 2017
All TAX MONEY spent 2 cover up sexual misdeeds or other abuses by govt leaders must be REFUNDED 2 taxpayers. We want honorable people 2 Represent us & our Govt. Break 1 vow, promise or oath, they will break another. Can’t be trusted, & must pay 4 their bad judgement.
— Evaline B Myatt (@EvalineMyatt) December 20, 2017
And will @RepCaltagirone be paying the taxpayers back for this? He used their money to secretly settle a sexual harassment complaint. https://t.co/w9ashSGHf0
— Nick Short ?? (@PoliticalShort) December 20, 2017
The American people want and DESERVE to know ALL the names who engaged in sexual misconduct! #UnsealTheDeals https://t.co/OlUvWJ7WWE
— Laurie (@lauriemarcine) December 20, 2017
These doggone ravenous, unscrupulous, fraudulent, dishonest, lecherous swines have been screaming for Trump’s impeachment from day one til now, and look a here! Can you believe this poo? https://t.co/O3AjPmZPd8
— AMABLACKPATRIOT (@DrShayPhD) December 20, 2017
They need to pay back ever penny plus interest and resign
— Bobby Bray (@bobobray) December 20, 2017
I mean…this angers me. We’re paying for these pigs to frolic.
— AMABLACKPATRIOT (@DrShayPhD) December 20, 2017
I want a refund….@SenateMajLdr @SpeakerRyan its past time for you two to do your freaking jobs.
— Tina Eubanks (@KimnanaT) December 20, 2017
#WeWantTheList with names so the people can invoice congress to get our tax dollars back
— ArmsAgent (@ArmsAgent) December 20, 2017
Disgraceful. ?
— Alice Sutton Ballard (@AliceBallard27) December 20, 2017
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