House votes to require disclosure of lawmakers’ taxpayer-funded misconduct settlements

The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to require the public disclosure of records identifying lawmakers who used taxpayer funds to settle sexual misconduct claims, along with the amounts paid. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, passed by a vote of 420-0, with Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, voting present.

The measure directs the House Ethics Committee and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to produce a consolidated report within 60 days. The report will list members involved in sexual harassment reviews or investigations that resulted in taxpayer-funded settlements, as well as aggregate totals for misconduct by House employees. Staff members involved in such cases will not be named.

In remarks on the House floor, Massie argued the disclosure was necessary to assure the public that Congress conducts its business with integrity and treats employees with respect. He expressed concern that loopholes may exist in a 2018 law that ended the practice of using taxpayer money for such settlements on behalf of members and now requires members to pay themselves.

The vote follows a period of heightened...