February 6, 2018
Press Release
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) issued the following statement after the passage of the Congressional Accountability Reform Act, a bipartisan bill that will overhaul the deeply flawed process for responding to harassment and discrimination in Congress.
“It’s not often that we are able to pass legislation that directly affects this great institution, and makes Congress more functional and accountable, but that’s exactly what we did today with the passage of the Congressional Accountability Act Reform Act. This is not only a triumph of bipartisanship, it’s a victory for the American public – which made it clear that they have had enough of Members using taxpayer funds to cover up their abuses and misdeeds. The CAA Reform Act is based on the ME TOO Congress Act I introduced last fall, and builds on that legislation by empowering survivors, holding Members of Congress accountable and providing better transparency.”
“This bill was passed in less than four months, through the hard work and dedication of Republicans and Democrats. It is proof that Congress can lead. It’s been an honor and privilege working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, most especially House Administration Chairman Gregg Harper (R-MS) and Ranking Member Robert Brady (D-PA), Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Congresswoman Susan Brooks (R-IN), and Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL), as well as the Members of the House Committee on Administration. ”
“Most of all, I want to thank the brave staffers and former staffers who came forward to share their experiences in the hope that their colleagues could avoid the same trauma and pain they have suffered. Please know that we will not stop here. There is more work to be done. And by working together, I am confident that we can make it so that no employee, in any workforce, has to endure harassment, abuse, or humiliation in silence and fear.”
###