Members of Congress will have to pay out of pocket to settle sexual misconduct claims under legislation that Congress passed this week.
Lawmakers could previously use public funds to settle the claims.
The House of Representatives and the Senate approved the bipartisan measure on a voice vote on Dec. 13.
“We want to thank 1,500 former staff members of Congress who wrote a letter to us who made the case all too clear, that sexual harassment in Congress was a huge problem,” she added.
“This bipartisan, bicameral agreement will protect the rights of victims and ensure perpetrators are held accountable for conduct unacceptable in the Congress or any workplace,” he added.
The money was paid out in over 250 settlements, the office said.
The legislation mandates a $300,000 cap on liability for each lawmaker if a court has assessed the damages and no limit on liability for settlements.
Congress must also regularly report and publish settlements in the future, a stark departure from the past when such settlements were kept secret.
Lawmakers Resign Over Allegations
In the past year alone, a number of lawmakers have left office following sexual misconduct allegations, including Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas).Lauren Greene, Farenthold’s former communications director, sued her boss in December 2014 over allegations of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and creating a hostile work environment, saying when she complained about comments he made to her, the congressman fired her.
Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) resigned late last year after word of a secret settlement of more than $27,000 to a staffer who said he made sexual advances toward her emerged.
After the story broke, six other women said Conyers sexually harassed them or made inappropriate remarks.
“Because the ethics committee is conducting an investigation and has not been determined that A, that was taxpayer money and B, they cleared any settlement that the congressman entered into, as I told you, several days ago,” he said.
