Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) released the following statement after becoming an original cosponsor of the Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act, introduced by Congressman Ron DeSantis (FL-06):

“This legislation is long overdue. It not only provides transparency to taxpayers and requires Members of Congress and staffers who have ever been accused of sexual harassment to reimburse the Department of Treasury, but it also gives victims more confidence knowing they can come forward regardless of non-disclosure agreements,” said Rep. Bacon. “Sexual harassment, abuse, and misconduct is unacceptable every time and everywhere.”

“The current system incentivizes misconduct and makes it difficult for victims,” said Rep. DeSantis. “By exposing these secret settlements and by discontinuing using tax dollars to pay for member misconduct, this bill will reduce the incentive for bad behavior and bring more accountability to Congress.”

The Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act will:

• Require disclosure within 30 calendar days of all settlement payments funded by taxpayers, the reason for the payment and the nature of the allegation, and the member of Congress or congressional staffer implicated in the matter.
• Prohibit the future use of taxpayer dollars to pay sexual harassment and sexual assault claims against members of Congress and staff.
• Prohibit members of Congress from using office budgets to camouflage payments.
• Require members of Congress and staff that have ever been named in a sexual harassment or sexual assault settlement paid for by taxpayers to reimburse the U.S. Treasury with interest.
• Any individual who received an award may make public statements about the claims notwithstanding the terms of a nondisclosure agreement and nondisclosure agreements cannot be made a condition of any future settlements.

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