State & Local Government Policy, Business and Technology

As Sexual Harassment Reforms Stall in Congress, Statehouses Take the Lead

Governing: Congress has trained its attention this week on the sexual misconduct allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court. For many, the controversy is a reminder that federal lawmakers have yet to reconcile two bills that would strengthen laws against sexual harassment on Capitol Hill, which would be the most substantial action yet since the #MeToo movement began.

The bills would rewrite how sexual harassment claims are handled, ending a 90-day waiting period before a hearing can be held and making public any settlement reached by Congress. The Senate version, however, requires out-of-pocket settlements only for harassment -- not discrimination.

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