A call to order the committee and House Administration title preventing Sexual Harassment in the workplace. The record will remain open for five legislative days so members can submit any materials. Lukewarmness president. I asked for consent that committee on ethics chairwoman ted deutch be afforded to ask the witnesses today. I asked that we be afforded the opportunity to sit and question her second panel i would think or witness for taking time out of the schedule to be with us today on the serious issue. I commence speak arrive for tasking this committee to undertake a comprehensive review. Todays hearing is a critical part of that process. There is no place for Sexual Harassment in our society. Especially in congress. Since important topic it will take us all working together. Members of congress we have to hold ourselves to a higher standard the disturbing accounts of Sexual Harassment experience baker and former members including a witness today revealed the Sexual Harassment is a serious hurt harassment in our society. Its no secret the culture on capitol hill is unique. While there for hundred 41 employing offices of the house we must share the common goal of creating safe and Effective Work environments that are productive and responsive to the needs of our staff comes constituents and the public. The personal account suggest that not every office is achieving this goal. These accounts dictate the need for comprehensive review of the policies and procedures of the Resources Available as it relates to Sexual Harassment in the workplace. Currently Sexual Harassment weirdest train is not mandatory. Several are not aware of the Resources Available to them. Today, well hear from two numbers one who is a victim of Sexual Harassment and another who had employment before his election to congress. Well hear from the office of compliance and to entities who are responsible for providing training to members and staff. The office of compliance is an independent agency to administer and enforce the act. While it is responsible for educating and Training Numbers there are individuals like representative spirit and norton who have spoken publicly about the need to do more. The office of house employment counsel provides training and resources for members and chiefs of staff. In addition several bills or seeking changes to the process, many involve making training mandatory. According to the office of compliance it is widely acknowledged that its a discrimination provides many benefits to the workplace. The trickling impacts employee behavior. He continues to be the most Effective Organization in creating a more productive workforce. I believe we need mandatory training. Probably everyone here will agree. As well as a more organized approach to address Sexual Harassment in the workplace. I look forward to hearing tall of our witnesses in both panels. Mr. Brady, i recognize you now for an Opening Statement. Thank you. The Congressional Workplace should have zero tolerance for Sexual Harassment. Thats why first baltimores. Congressman spears courage deserves respect and attention of members of congress. Thank you very much for being here today. Requires mandatory training for members and staff. Requires them to get back to us quickly. This Bipartisan Legislation is the first step and it should be passed immediately. I hope we can look at ways to strengthen and qualify our dispute including with additional i support additional appropriations. I think the witnesses for being here today im glad you be joining us. Im pleased that the Ranking Member tried to join us. The Ethics Committee will have a role to play with holding all of us to the highest conduct. I now recognize barbara for the purpose of an Opening Statement. Thank you. In recent weeks, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence has come to light ike never before. People have name names the renewed recognition of this problem in the need for change. Whether its bill klat cosby, bl oreilly, roger ailes, kevin spacey or one of her own, its time to say, no more. Ive been an intern in this body, staffer, a Counselor Committee and now a member. I appreciate the opportunity for this hearing today. I appreciate that weve committed to mandatory Sexual Harassment training for all the members and staff. I think we have a consensus to need improved training making sure were Getting Better reporting the response and knowing whats going on was surveys. Most are partly, to protect the victims. We need to know more examples of what is happening and making it easier for the victims to come forward. We know there are many in the shadows because her situation may have happened at a time or less attention was paid. Last night i talked to who in 1998 filed the First Successful harassment complaint against representative jim bates in a recent interview in roll call. Many women had the same experience. Only she and one other came forward. In speaking with her you could hear the pain still in her voice and telling the story. You can also hear the strength of the result. They need to know that will be there to back them up. I think its important we name names. People heard these rumors for years. I never knew this had happened to her. I was here in the time of bob i think of some of the things like Charlie Wilson teach him to type they cant teach him to grow breasts, hes more vulgar term. This is about a member here now. The someone i trust told me the situation. This member has to staffer to bring in materials to the residents. The young staffer is young woman was greeted with a member and a towel and invited her in. At that point he decided to expose himself. She left. She quit her job. But that kind of situation, what are we doing here for women right now who are dealing with someone like that. This is more complex situation. We need to have more training another violence is criminal. I would argue that is a crime in that situation. And then that we have a Better Process that person doesnt have to give up her career. She is talking about how she is very strong and somewhat their desire profession because of what happened. We can have that happen. I appreciate you giving us that opportunity. And that we hear more. Wheel back. There is no question that sexualharassment workplace including Congress Must be addressed. I think chairman harper and Ranking Member brady for this hearing. I think the witnesses for coming before us to help us examine how we can make improvements to our policies and procedures. The c sack calling for mandatory sexualharassment training is a step in the right direction. As we have discussed is not the end. We need to examine the process to make sure victims can have their grievances heard. This is important because Sexual Harassment is often about power, its about abuse of power. Hardworking staff needs to have an advocate just as hardworking. Mandatory training is long overdue. Been recommending it for 20 years. We just passed a resolution mandating it. Seems to me ted cruz and can agree we should be able to agree. The Online Training is a small start. In person training is where you have the most progress we need to do a better job of advertising Resources Available but we also need improvement to the process. One a make a special word about congresswoman jackie spears. Years ago we were staff compatriots. She worked for congressman and i work for congressman just south of that district. In many ways we had the impeachment of richard nixon, the war and the disruption. One thing check is talked about naked for so much credit is the assault that she suffered. I think its so important that she had the courage and grace to speak up. I know that has encouraged other people to step forward and now they can speak up to. Want to thank jackie for being here today for the lead, shes a great lawyer, terrific leader and not afraid of anything. Thank you, i yield back. Anyone else on the republican side wish to be recognized . As chairwoman of the house Ethics Committee im pleased to be part of this today. We know they have problems with both reported and unreported sexualharassment. Were committed to working with your committee that occurs through ensuring members and staff and we need to be insured that were protecting. Sexualharassment is prohibited by a court of official conduct. It is strictly prohibited by the housecoat of official conduct. And something the House Committee takes very seriously. We have an education division, the attorneys are trained when they want to contact the office of compliance. These discussions are confidential. I cannot report on the instances. But i can report advice given. The second function is to conduct an investigation when allegations are made and should someone be interested they can contact the Ethics Committee. The committee of protecting victims of harassment, i look forward to hearing ways to improve the house and how we can ensure were taking these. In closing i commend the three female members who just share and started as staffers. Its very important, im pleased to be a part of this. I never worked on the hill prior to congress and its important that you are here with strong voices. Thank you, neil back. The chair recognizes the jello one. Thank you very much for calling this hearing and are distinguished witnesses for their leadership. The nation is in an upper today over sectionals assault and harassment. From the studios of liberal hollywood to fox news to wall street and alabama theres an unwillingness to put up with what people have been unwilling to accept is business as usual. I believe the public has seen enough in one section. In congress we must be leaders not just by what we see in our legislation but what we do in our own workplace. Justice brandis once said for good or for ill it teaches the whole people by his example. This is a pervasive problem and been documented. Anywhere from 25 to 85 of women have experienced Sexual Harassment in the workplace. Constitutes sex discrimination integrates professional status of women. To think this body is immune from sexualharassment would be naive. Whether 1500 staffers called honest reform policies and adjudicating complaints. She said she did not know single woman who is experience inappropriate conduct. We must do our own part and lean the Public Sector training for members of Cyber Security chaining. Alma proud sponsor of House Resolution 604. I would urge them to urge as the senate did last week. Although is not sufficient we must examine these processes which may be acting in the problems. I understand there are multiple proposals put on the table aimed at encouraging and soliciting feedback. Im eager to learn how to Work Together to create a place safe for all of our employees. I look forward to the testimony today. I would like to introduce her witnesses on the first panel, jackie represents the 14th congressional district. She serves on the House Committee on the Ranking Member and on the Ranking Member committee on intelligence. Representative sphere is a tireless advocate. Representative Bradley Byrne represents the first came congressional district. Mr. Ron the House Committee as well as the workforce committee. Representative burn received his degree from the representative school of law. Practice labor and Employment Law from more than 30 years. During the practice he advised multiple businesses on harassment policies and litigated numerous planet cases. His overseeing multiple sexualharassment investigations over his many years of practice. We have received your written testimony. Youll be given five minutes to present a summary of that and to help you keep time you have five minutes and it will go red when your time is up. We thank you for your time. The chair will recognize mr. Ms. Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak to him impress with the seriousness with which you are undertaking this. Its important to know that two other three go unreported and oftentimes sexualharassment leads to sexual assault. As i shared my information ive had phone calls with Staff Members who have been suggested subjected to this inexcusable behavior. There are two members of congress, republican and democrat right now who have been subject to review navigation sexualharassment. These such as are you going to be a good girl to perpetrators showing their genitals. All they ask in return as Staff Members is to work in a hostile free Work Environment. They want the system fixed and the perpetrators held accountable. Ive been working on this since 2014. Theres three steps that need to take place. Require sexualharassment training every year for members and staff. The existing office of compliance Online Training model is a start. Its not adequate. Effective training requires inperson interactive dialogue. This already legislation coauthored by many of you and i want to give a special thanks to Ranking Member brady second we can fix what we dont know, working in the academia climate surveys are conducted thats why congress should institute the Congressional Climate survey every two years. We must reform the broken dispute resolution system. They have been okay in the dark ages, its not appropriate for the 21st century. As a c on the monitor congressional employees are confused and utterly betrayed. You then have after that you are required to sign a nondisclosure agreement before you begin mediation. You then have mandatory mediation for 30 days. Additionally the harasser a Members Office are represented by house of representatives counsel. How does that compute . They are provided free Legal Counsel the victim is not. Survivors dont have the option to be in separate rooms as the defendants counsel in their often addressed in an aggressive manner. The fact that they work on behalf of the alleged harasser and is charged with advocating for the settlement of this agreement seems to be a conflict of interest. If the employee makes it this far they have to go through 30 days of a coolingoff period, now 90 days has elapsed that employees still required to work in that office or they are not eligible for services. Interns and fellows dont even have this process to access. They have nowhere to go. After the 30 days you can either file a formal complaint and a Federal District court or have a hearing with negotiations away move forward. For the few survivors there is no disclosure of the office involved with the amount of funds. Theres zero accountability and zero transparency the victim can even communicate theyre going with their family, friends or anyone in their religious community so its no wonder staffers do not seek this process at all. So one said im a single mother, i can afford to lose my job. The thought of being blackballed in this institution and being subject to this apostles, that all has an effect. Its important to move forward not just with training both a comprehensive reform of the office of compliance. I like unanimous consent to submit the letter for 1500 former members of staff in congress. If you flip to the pages youll see the range back in the 70s all the way to the current time thank you congresswoman for that very powerful and insightful testimony. The chair will now recognize Bradley Byrne for an Opening Statement. We look forward to hearing from you to know is happening in the private sector. We recognize you for five minutes. [inaudible] in 1986 sexualharassment was recognized by the Supreme Court is a violation. In 95 Congress Passed the congressional accountability subjecting us to title vii. I want to make a few observations and offer some of my own suggestions. We need to mandate harassment training. I believe the house should require mandatory sexualharassment training for all members and employees. Training, wall available to members of congress and employees is underutilized. Mandatory training of the house is not unprecedented. This multiple harassment trainings provided by different support offices. Its my opinion we should settle on one highquality training product to make sure that theyre all in the same manner. Although not required by law, creating and enforcing policies is now a universal norm in the private sector. Each individual office is an independent h