{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mimi-walters-cosponsors-bill-prohibit-use-taxpayer-funds-sexual", "Rep. Mimi Walters Cosponsors Bill to Prohibit Use of Taxpayer Funds for Sexual Harassment Settlements", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Mimi Walters", "W000820", "walters.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 30, 2017 \n (202) 225-5611 \n Rep. Mimi Walters Cosponsors Bill to Prohibit Use of Taxpayer Funds for Sexual Harassment Settlements \nWashington, DC \u2013 Representative Mimi Walters (R-California) released the following statement regarding her original cosponsorship of the Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act, which was introduced today.\u00a0 This legislation would prohibit the use of public funds to pay sexual harassment settlements or awards.\u00a0 Further, the bill would require all sexual harassment settlements made by the Office of Compliance (OCC) to be made public while prohibiting disclosure of a victim\u2019s identity.\u00a0 The bill would also prohibit the payment of such settlements in the future and require individuals who previously settled sexual assault claims through the OCC to reimburse taxpayers for the claims paid out on their behalf, with interest. \u00a0\nFurther, the use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) as a precondition to report sexual harassment claims with the OCC would be prohibited. \u00a0Victims who previously signed an NDA would have the right to make their allegations public, if they so choose.\u00a0 You can read the full text of the legislation here.\nSaid Rep. Walters, \u201cThe use of taxpayer funds to pay sexual harassment settlements is unacceptable and must end. \u00a0Members of Congress and staff serve the American people. \u00a0Inappropriate behavior conducted by public servants should not be covered up with secretive payments using public funds. \u00a0The victims, who are currently required to sign nondisclosure agreements, are silenced while their harassers can continue to serve under a cloak of secrecy.\u00a0 \n\u201cThe Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act will end this disturbing cycle and empower victims to share their stories.\u00a0 Under this bill, individuals who violated the public trust would be held financially responsible and publicly accountable. \u00a0These changes will result in work environment free from harassment and discrimination for all congressional members and staff.\u00a0 I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation and urge my colleagues to stand with victims and restore the public\u2019s trust by supporting this bill.\u201d\nWalters represents California\u2019s 45th District and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://walters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-mimi-walters-cosponsors-bill-prohibit-use-taxpayer-funds-sexual"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3736130204051733, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}