The Bill
Voters will now have more clarity if their congressional representative has a track record of sexual harassment, in part due to the efforts of Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN-9). Houchin joined her colleagues and voted on June 30 to make congressional sexual harassment settlements public. June 30th's vote follows the resignations of Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA) earlier this year, after the two were accused of sexual misconduct.
The resolution will direct the ethics committee to publicly release records related to monetary settlements concerning acts of sexual harassment. (Currently, the ethics committee is able to keep such settlement records private.) The measure passed overwhelmingly with 420 votes in favor. Houchin, the Indiana Republican who has served in Congress for approximately two years and 10 months, aligned with the overwhelming consensus.
Republicans supported the measure 209-0, while Democrats voted 210-0 in favor. One independent also voted yes. Only two Democrats and eight Republicans did not vote, and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) voted "present."
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