Should Congress have a sexual harassment slush fund?

Lauretta Brown reports for Town Hall,

The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT), an ethics watchdog group, asked Monday for “the immediate release of the names of all Members of Congress who have been connected to the $17 million in taxpayer funds that the Office of Compliance (OOC) has paid out to victims of sexual harassment and other forms of harassment and discrimination over the past 20 years.”

FACT emphasized that Congress is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), arguing that “this is even more reason why releasing this information quickly is important—not only for the purposes of ensuring transparency in government, but to hold public officials accountable for criminal behavior as well as ensuring a safe workplace for employees.”

… Congressional leaders need to name names and each day that goes by without action is another day more innocent people are put at risk of becoming victims of predatory behavior in the workplace.”

…Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) is pushing for legislation that would make members of Congress personally liable for harassment settlements.

Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL) also recommended during House Administration Committee hearing on sexual misconduct that lawmakers accused of harassment personally repay the Treasury for settlements.

Read more here.