B. L. --
The #MeToo movement has exposed a culture of sexual misconduct across the
country -- and called all of us to action.
But Congress continues to play by a different set of workplace rules and
remains dysfunctional when it comes to allegations of sexual harassment
and discrimination.
Rather than take the difficult step of passing judgment on a fellow
lawmaker, Congressional committees usually leave it up to the lawmaker
themselves to act. They’ll wait for a member of Congress to resign, lose
re-election or leave office voluntarily. This has happened in at least 15
cases since 2009 in the House alone.
It’s clear that the Congressional oversight process has failed.
One of the best steps we can take to address harassment in Congress is to
strengthen the Office of Congressional Ethics -- an independent body
created in 2008 to take politics out of abuses of power. This independent
office should be made permanent, and provided with subpoena power. Will
you help make this a reality?
[
https://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/26005?t=1001&refcode=g-MeToo0306.d-20180306.m-10811.s-40737&akid=10811%2E4105250%2E9snMsU
]Sign the petition today calling on Congress to strengthen the Office of
Congressional Ethics and get serious about sexual harassment.
Our political leaders and their staff should model the best methods and
policies for ending sexual harassment and misconduct.
Instead they’re amongst the worst offenders.
Even as more workplaces across the country are taking important steps
towards addressing sexual harassment and discrimination, Congress has
moved in the wrong direction.
At the beginning of the 115th Congress, House Republicans tried to
covertly gut the Office of Congressional Ethics ethics enforcement. Your
activism helped stop them.
Still, their attempt sent a clear message to the American people: Within
the House and Senate there remains a group who would rather protect men
who harass and abuse women, rather than hold individuals accountable.
We need to strengthen the powers of the Office of Congressional Ethics,
not weakening them. True reform would add subpoena power and require an
equal body in both the House and Senate so that it can effectively rule on
misconduct. Progressives are mobilizing to make this happen. Will you add
your name?
[
https://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/26005?t=1002&refcode=g-MeToo0306.d-20180306.m-10811.s-40737&akid=10811%2E4105250%2E9snMsU
]Take action today! Demand Congress stop protecting members who harass
and abuse women and other vulnerable people -- and act to strengthen the
Office of Congressional Ethics.
Thank you for your support to ensure Congress upholds the high moral
standards we expect from our elected officials.
- Jay
Jay Henderson, Digital Strategy Manager
Democracy for America
DONATE:
https://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/26007?refcode=g-MeToo0306.d-20180306.m-10811.s-40737&t=201&akid=10811%2E4105250%2E9snMsU
You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time:
http://act.democracyforamerica.com/cms/unsubscribe/unsubscribe/?akid=10811%2E4105250%2E9snMsU
