House Orders Release Of Taxpayer-Funded Sexual Harassment Settlement Records
The House voted 420-0-1 on Tuesday to approve Rep. Thomas Massie's privileged resolution forcing public release of taxpayer-funded sexual harassment settlement records.[1]
The measure orders the House Ethics Committee to preserve and publicly release records of sexual misconduct settlements and directs the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to report cases and total taxpayer costs.[1] Rep. Nancy Mace cast the lone "present" vote and said she previously obtained and released more than $330,000 in related settlement data through a subpoena.[1] Ten lawmakers did not vote as the chamber prepared to begin its July 4 recess amid a conservative blockade over the SAVE America Act.[1]
In 2018, Congress passed the Congressional Accountability Act Reform Act, which barred taxpayer funding for future settlements involving members and required personal repayment for prior ones. In March 2026 Rep. Nancy Mace introduced H.Res. 1100 directing the Ethics Committee to release records; the House voted 357-65 to refer it back to committee, blocking floor action. Mace then secured a subpoena through the House Oversight Committee. In May 2026 the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights turned over files showing more than $338,000 in pre-2018 taxpayer-funded settlements involving House members or offices.
Lawmakers including Massie framed the privileged resolution around the absence of any reported member repayments under the 2018 rules, pressing for greater transparency. Office records show the legislative branch approved 349 awards or settlements from January 1, 1996, through December 12, 2018, and Congress paid $1.6 million in publicly reported monetary settlements for 33 claims between 2020 and 2024.
The mainstream summary does not address the significant historical context regarding the effectiveness of accountability reforms following the #MeToo movement. While it mentions the 2018 Congressional Accountability Act Reform Act, it overlooks the fact that these reforms have not fully resolved issues of transparency and accountability. Investigations indicate that while new settlements involving members are prohibited, past cases remain largely undisclosed, creating a culture of confidentiality that shields misconduct from public scrutiny. This lack of transparency is compounded by a Pew Research Center analysis showing that only 22% of U.S. adults trust the federal government, with Congress facing particularly unfavorable views, which can be attributed to practices like these confidential settlements that evade external accountability.[2]
Moreover, the summary fails to highlight the broader implications of this legislative push for transparency. The House's unanimous vote reflects a growing frustration among lawmakers and constituents alike regarding the lack of accountability for past misconduct, as evidenced by the more than $1.6 million paid out in settlements from 2020 to 2024. This figure underscores the ongoing issues within Congress, suggesting that while the recent resolution is a step toward transparency, it may not be sufficient to restore public trust or address the systemic problems of sexual misconduct and accountability in the institution.[3]
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📊 Relevant Data
The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights approved a total of 349 awards or settlements to resolve complaints against legislative branch offices from January 1, 1996, through December 12, 2018.
Congress paid out $1.6 million in publicly reported monetary settlements for 33 claims between 2020 and 2024.
There's a Major Gap in How Congress Discloses Settlements — NOTUS
📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the House passed Rep. Thomas Massie’s resolution 420-0-1 to force disclosure of taxpayer-funded sexual harassment settlements.
- The measure orders the House Ethics Committee to preserve and publicly release records of sexual misconduct settlements and directs the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to report cases and total taxpayer costs.
- Rep. Nancy Mace cast the lone present vote, saying she previously obtained and released more than $330,000 in related settlement data through a subpoena.
- Ten lawmakers did not vote as the chamber was set to begin its July 4 recess amid a conservative blockade over the SAVE America Act.
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