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House lawmakers introduce bill to expose secret settlements, end 'hush fund'
Fox News. com ^ | November 29, 2017 | Barnini Chakraborty

Posted on 11/29/2017 4:48:35 PM PST by Kaslin

In a push to end the secrecy surrounding sexual harassment inside the U.S. Capitol, House lawmakers on Wednesday introduced legislation to bar the use of taxpayer dollars to settle misconduct claims against members of Congress -- and to name names.

“Enough is enough,” Hawaii Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, one of the bill’s sponsors, said. “For far too long sexual predators have roamed freely through the halls of Congress -- the people’s house -- while survivors of sexual harassment and assault have essentially been isolated, bullied and shamed into silence.”

Numerous allegations of sexual misconduct by powerful players in politics, business and the media have put pressure on Congress in recent weeks to improve its outdated method of addressing complaints.

A little-known law that has been on the books for more than a decade gives anyone accusing a federal lawmaker of sexual harassment the right to sue – but only if they consent to a drawn-out process that includes counseling and mediation.

The lawmaker’s identity, even if he or she is found guilty, remains confidential. And if there’s a settlement – and there have been more than 200 – it’s the American taxpayer that’s on the hook.

Recent revelations have detailed secret payouts of more than $17 million for harassment claims from what’s essentially a congressional hush fund. The revelations have stirred mounting speculation over who was involved in those cases.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government
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1 posted on 11/29/2017 4:48:35 PM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Waiting for McCain-Thune-McConnell-Graham-Flake to sponsor it in the Senate. They’re so honest and moral, ya know.


2 posted on 11/29/2017 4:50:49 PM PST by Robert A Cook PE (I can only donate monthly, but socialists' ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
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To: Kaslin

Out them all! Go Tulsi!


3 posted on 11/29/2017 4:54:28 PM PST by Ken H (Best election ever!)
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To: Ken H

This is going to be good. Of course, any lawmaker who used this to settle his/her claims and thought they would never be outed is an idiot.


4 posted on 11/29/2017 5:01:11 PM PST by EQAndyBuzz (BANNON YOU MAGNIFICENT BASTARD!)
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To: Ken H

They’re pulling their punches. Everyone knows the rats are the guilty ones along with a few goper’s. This information could be sealed and we’ll never know. Looking angry is looking good.


5 posted on 11/29/2017 5:03:08 PM PST by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
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To: Kaslin

This is mega popcorn material, because the entire country will be wondering WHY anyone would voice disapproval of this bill or vote against it...

...and there’s really only one answer.


6 posted on 11/29/2017 5:07:11 PM PST by LostInBayport (When there are more people riding in the cart than there are pulling it, the cart stops moving...)
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To: LostInBayport

Congress is little more than a criminal nest.


7 posted on 11/29/2017 5:10:40 PM PST by onedoug
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To: Kaslin

This should be part of every townhall meeting and every interview with all senators and congressmen:

“What have you done to help expose the ethics violations and payouts?”

Also,

“What have you done to help clean out the Swamp?”


8 posted on 11/29/2017 5:12:14 PM PST by bobk3
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To: Kaslin
the Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act

Haha, I about drove off the road tonight when I heard what this bill was called

9 posted on 11/29/2017 5:16:36 PM PST by MAKOTHEDOG
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To: Kaslin

Oh, they’ll end the slush fund... then they’ll concoct an even more devious way to hide their stuff going forward.


10 posted on 11/29/2017 5:21:26 PM PST by Cementjungle
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To: EQAndyBuzz
Of course, any lawmaker who used this to settle his/her claims and thought they would never be outed is an idiot.

Any illusions they might have had were probably dispelled (for Senators) during Clinton's impeachment trial.

I'm sure that threats of revealing these hush payments have been used to get legislation passed or blocked many times.

11 posted on 11/29/2017 5:21:29 PM PST by BwanaNdege ("The church ... is not the master or the servant of the state, but the conscience" - Luther)
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To: Kaslin
For far too long sexual predators have roamed freely through the halls of Congress

And, they all knew about it and did nothing. Now, they are going to want credit for shutting down a slush fund that never should have existed in the first place.

12 posted on 11/29/2017 5:21:59 PM PST by NutsOnYew (If the world was perfect, it wouldn't be.)
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To: All

The $17 million slush fund is a mere bagatelle. These sex-obsessed scoundrels figured out how to use other sources of tax dollars for their dirty deeds.

EXHIBIT ONE (A) John Conyers hid payoffs through his office budget. (B) We know about the $17 million fund that they’ve kept hidden by the Office of Compliance. (C) He’s a founder, now Conyers buddies on the Congressional Black Caucus are urging him to step down-—these guys obviously do not want to be under a microscope.

Time to audit the C/B/C and mobilize the Bank Secrecy Act o determine if tax dollars were laundered to silence sex victims.

EXHIBIT TWO Sex creep Cong Al Greene currently serves on multiple financial committees-—good places to steal tax dollars. Greene is on the

<><>Financial Services Committee.
And on three financial subcommittees:
<><>Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit,
<><> Monetary Policy and Trade,
<><> Oversight and Investigations, as a Ranking Member,

Cong Greene is also a member of the C/B/C.
Greene is Assistant Whip of the Democratic Party
(a perfect place to launder tax dollars for scumbag Democrats)


Call President Trump: Comments: 202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414

Contact Jeff Sessions
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001

Comment Line: 202-353-1555
Switchboard: 202-514-2000


13 posted on 11/29/2017 5:27:10 PM PST by Liz (Liberals are incapable of governing or practicing journalism in a normal American way.)
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To: onedoug
Congress is little more than a criminal nest.

Partner you hit a homerun with this statement!!!

We are so P.O.ed at Congress right now especially P.O.ed big time with Paul Ryno and Mitch McConjob.

14 posted on 11/29/2017 5:37:09 PM PST by TheConservativeTejano
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To: onedoug
Congress is little more than a criminal nest.

Partner you hit a homerun with this statement!!!

We are so P.O.ed at Congress right now especially P.O.ed big time with Paul Ryno and Mitch McConjob.

15 posted on 11/29/2017 5:39:58 PM PST by TheConservativeTejano
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To: Ken H
"The lawmaker’s identity, even if he or she is found guilty, remains confidential."

Make the bill ABSOLUTELY clear that EVERY name is exposed.

I no longer care that there are going to be a lot of republicans.

The Swamp MUST be drained.

No more "confidentiality".

Propose the bill, and just watch who opposes it.

Betcha that McConnell and Ryan are up to their eyeballs in this.

It would explain SO much of their worthlessness and outright treachery.

16 posted on 11/29/2017 6:18:02 PM PST by boop ("So much wasted time"-David Cassidy)
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To: Kaslin

I am a life long bookkeeper & accounting person.

I want every single PENNY of those payouts accounted for-—who was paid & who was the perp that caused the payment.

Then I want all that taxpayer money returned-—penny for penny to the treasury & the money has to come from the bad actors themselves.

None of them should get a pass & have their bad behavior paid for by taxpayers.


17 posted on 11/29/2017 6:32:13 PM PST by ridesthemiles
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To: onedoug
Congress is little more than a criminal nest.

FACT. Planted firmly in the Swamp.

18 posted on 11/29/2017 6:36:17 PM PST by TADSLOS (Reset Underway!)
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To: Kaslin

Yes, legislation, or rather a congressional rule change? To list each member of congress by date and amount. Maybe summary or not. Simply listing by date and name is enough to get the ball rolling.


19 posted on 11/29/2017 6:44:20 PM PST by Reno89519 (PRESIDENT TRUMP, KEEP YOUR PROMISES! NO AMNESTY AND BUILD THAT WALL.)
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To: Kaslin

Here’s a new concept: How about Congress being required to follow the same laws the rest of us have to follow? Go figure....


20 posted on 11/29/2017 7:33:29 PM PST by SERKIT ("Blazing Saddles" explains it all.......)
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