Posted on 11/30/2017 10:05:33 AM PST by Kaslin
Americans were rightfully outraged when they learned that members of Congress had used taxpayer dollars to pay settlement claims to alleged victims of sexual harassment.
They were even more outraged when they saw the numbers. The secret payouts for harassment claims, of which there have been more than 200, amounted to more than $17 million. There's no telling so far how much of that money went to silence sexual assault accusers.
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is seeking to release the names of lawmakers who used this "hush fund." She's a co-sponsor of the Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act, which would require full disclosure of the settlements within 30 days.
Using taxpayer dollars to settle sexual harassment claims against members of Congress is disgusting. We're going to release the names of those who used this hush fund, and these individuals will pay this money back to the American people with interest. https://t.co/Wloe8uw0QT— Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) November 30, 2017
"Like most of my colleagues, I was completely disgusted to find out about this," Blackburn said.
When claims are presented, she explained, the names are anonymous.
"Let's bring the sunshine in," Blackburn offered. "Let's bring some transparency and accountability."
"These have been personal bailouts," she added. "Let's end this."
It's a bipartisan effort, with Rep. Tulsi Gubbard (D-HI) one of the Democrats on board.
“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.”
In addition to unmasking the lawmakers who used the hush fund, the bipartisan bill will mandate that taxpayers get their money back - "with interest," says Blackburn.
Lawmakers are introducing other pieces of legislation intended to combat a culture of sexual abuse on Capitol Hill. On Wednesday, Congress passed a bill requiring members to participate in anti-harassment training.
AND make all these POS horny pervs repay us taxpayers....
“is why everybody HATES the stinking government”
I love the representative republic prescribed by the Constitution, but I hate 2017’s irredeemably corrupt and depraved political class, Evil Party and Stupid Party alike.
“mark my words”
I’m marking them, but I’m betting that the guilty parties will do anything to protect themselves, including murder.
Good for her. This should have happened already, to be honest, but, let’s see what happens. Let’s see how much resistance the Swamp Creatures offer.
And since she is a strong R, I’ll bet most of the perps are Ds.
Some of them might prefer young men. Pretty much the same operation.
POS KNEW FOR YEARS, KEPT QUIET, NOW WANTS TO BE TENNESSEE NEXT GOVERNOR. WELL SHE STEERED BIG GOV CONTRACTS TO HER HUBBY’S BUSINESS.
MAE BEAVERS IS THE ONLY CONSERVATIVE ON THE BALLOT. BOYD IS PRO-AMNESTY.
Truth is stranger than fact.
Make it an amendment to the continuing resolution they will have to pass to fund the government. Otherwise, shut it down baby.
These secret settlements are nothing but blackmail fodder. Expose it all.
Absolutely. It’s going to be a mess. But for once they are on the run. And they don’t have Clinton, Bush or Obama to shut off the investigations.
She’s been in Congress for years. Why has she waited until now to bring this up? Did she not know about the fund? Obviously others did — those who used the fund. So was she in the dark or complicit all these years?
I voted for her when she first ran and she has represented my district very well.
Unless you haven't noticed the stuff about the fund came up because of the sexual harassment scandal.
Pay attention
She is my Rep and I will definitely vote for her.
Yes they are, as has been proven
You are a hoot alright!!!!
Yes, the hush fund needs to go.
Though I think we should be cognizant some names on that list could be people we’ve supported. I’d like to think Dems are the only ones who act “inappropriately” re:sexual matters, but unfortunately that’s likely not the reality.
I’m with you. They slipped the noose the Constitution put on them and are now their own perpetual, eternal, entitled ruling class that they must preserve at all costs, hang the Republic. THAT is the key issue today with President Trump trying to rein that out of control beast in just a wee bit.
They have become enemies of America.
If Speaker RINO tries that, he can proudly wear it. (200 fingers pointing at him) AHA!
She could probably sidestep all that by offering it up as a floor amendment to an existing bill, already being debated.
"Mr Speaker; I would request a roll-call vote."
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