The House on Tuesday gave near-unanimous approval to a resolution from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) that compels the Ethics Committee to preserve and disclose records of monetary settlements tied to sexual misconduct by members of Congress. The vote, 420-0 with one Republican voting present, marked the chamber's final action before recessing two days early.
Massie's privileged resolution forces the Ethics Committee and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to compile a single consolidated list detailing each lawmaker, delegate, or resident commissioner who was investigated for sexual harassment or abuse that led to a taxpayer-funded settlement. The list must include the total amount of public money paid out in settlements, reimbursements, awards, or other financial considerations.
The push for transparency follows the Ethics Committee's April release of 28 publicly known misconduct cases, 15 of which occurred after 2017. The committee noted that reforms to the Congressional Accountability Act, passed in the wake of the #MeToo movement, have resulted in no new notifications of payments since then.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who earlier subpoenaed the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights for settlement records, revealed in May that taxpayers have footed bills exceeding $300,000 for settlements involving six former members or their offices. "Congress has spent decades hiding this from the American people, and enough is enough," Mace said at the time. "Taxpayers didn't sign up to foot the bill for cover-ups."
The resolution's passage underscores growing bipartisan frustration with secrecy surrounding workplace misconduct on Capitol Hill. Critics argue that nondisclosure agreements and opaque settlement processes have shielded lawmakers from accountability for years. Supporters of the measure, including Massie, contend that the public has a right to know how their tax dollars are being used to resolve such claims.
Earlier this year, the Senate Ethics Committee cleared Rep. Ruben Gallego of misconduct allegations brought by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a case that highlighted the uneven handling of such complaints across chambers. The new House resolution aims to standardize reporting and eliminate loopholes that have allowed settlements to remain confidential.
The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, established to enforce workplace protections, will play a key role in assembling the records. The resolution requires the final list to be made public, though it does not specify a deadline for release.
Massie's move comes amid broader debates about ethics reform and transparency in Congress. The Kentucky lawmaker has previously clashed with leadership over procedural maneuvers, but this measure enjoyed rare bipartisan support, signaling that the issue of sexual misconduct settlements transcends party lines.
As the House adjourns for recess, the Ethics Committee faces the task of compiling a comprehensive accounting of settlements that could date back years. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have vowed to monitor the process closely, ensuring that the promise of transparency is fulfilled.
