House Approves Measure to Unveil Lawmaker Harassment Settlements

WHO:

CNN - GOP Rep. Thomas Massie initiated the vote.

CNN - Rep. Nancy Mace was the only lawmaker to vote present on the measure.

CNN - The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights is involved in the disclosure of settlement documents.

CNN - House Oversight Chair James Comer received a letter from the general counsel of the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.

WHAT:

CNN - The House passed a resolution to disclose records on confidential sexual harassment settlements involving members of Congress with 420 votes in favor and one GOP lawmaker voting present.

CNN - The resolution calls for the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights and the House Ethics Committee to turn over information regarding sexual harassment settlements.

CNN - From January 1, 1996, through December 12, 2018, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights approved 349 awards or settlements to resolve complaints against legislative branch offices.

CNN - Eighty of those cases were settled by a House or Senate office, with seven cases leading to payments addressing allegations of sexual harassment.

CNN - Taxpayer money was used for over half a million dollars in confidential congressional sexual harassment settlements.

WHERE:

CNN - The actions took place in the House of Representatives.

WHEN:

CNN - The resolution was passed recently, with the previous settlements dating back to January 1, 1996, through December 12, 2018.

WHY:

CNN - The measure is part of a Republican-backed effort to increase accountability and transparency regarding sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill, supported by both parties.

CNN - Massie believes that the documents already provided were insufficient and that more records should be publicized.

HOW:

CNN - The resolution was initiated by a vote forced by Rep. Thomas Massie, following a subpoena from Rep. Nancy Mace that compelled the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to turn over settlement documents.

(UPDATED June 30, 2026 23:25 UTC)

The House of Representatives has passed a resolution aimed at disclosing records related to confidential sexual harassment settlements involving members of Congress, with an overwhelming vote of four hundred twenty in favor and one GOP lawmaker voting present. This measure, initiated by Rep. Thomas Massie and supported by both parties, calls for the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights and the House Ethics Committee to provide information on settlements dating back to January 1, 1996, through December 12, 2018, during which time 349 awards or settlements were approved. The resolution comes as part of a Republican-backed effort to enhance accountability and transparency regarding sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill, as Massie argues that previous disclosures have been insufficient.