Directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records relating to .monetary settlements involving acts of sexual harassment.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1399
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-30: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-07T04:53:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This resolution aims to increase transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer funds for settlements related to sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and sexual misconduct involving Members of the House of Representatives and House employees. It builds on existing House rules by requiring public disclosure of certain financial and investigative details.
Key Provisions
- The Committee on Ethics and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights must, within 60 days of the resolution’s adoption, release a single consolidated public list.
- For each Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner involved in relevant reviews or investigations:
- Their name must appear if the matter involved violations of House Rule XXIII, clause 9 (sexual harassment) or clause 18, or any sexual harassment or abuse case that resulted in taxpayer-funded payments.
- The total amount of taxpayer funds paid in settlements, reimbursements, awards, or similar financial considerations must be listed next to the name.
- Aggregate totals must also be disclosed for:
- Taxpayer funds paid in matters involving Members that did not include sexual harassment, abuse, or misconduct.
- Taxpayer funds paid in matters involving House employees that included sexual harassment, abuse, or misconduct.
- Taxpayer funds paid in matters involving House employees that did not include such conduct.
- Any settlement is classified as involving sexual harassment, abuse, or misconduct if that element formed any part of the matter, even if other claims were also present.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The resolution introduces a new mandatory public reporting requirement. It compels the release of specific names of Members alongside dollar amounts of taxpayer-funded settlements, which previously may not have been disclosed in this consolidated, named format. It also expands disclosure to include aggregate data on both sexual misconduct and non-misconduct settlements for both Members and staff.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The Committee on Ethics and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights must compile and publish detailed financial and investigative summaries within a strict 60-day deadline.
- Citizens: Taxpayers gain access to information about how public funds have been used in misconduct-related cases, potentially improving oversight of congressional conduct.
- No direct effects on international relations are addressed in the resolution.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Current and former Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners of the House.
- House employees involved in past reviews or settlements.
- The Committee on Ethics and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.
- The general public and taxpayers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure reinforces the House’s authority to enforce its own rules of conduct (Rule XXIII) through greater disclosure. It raises questions about balancing individual privacy with public accountability in the use of taxpayer resources. Politically, the named disclosure of Members and settlement amounts could increase scrutiny of past conduct and influence future legislative behavior.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-30: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-06-30: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 420 - 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 233). (text: CR H4345-4346) (Roll call 233)
- 2026-06-30: Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 420 - 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 233). (text: CR H4345-4346) (Roll call 233)
- 2026-06-30: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346-4347)
- 2026-06-30: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 1399, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Massie demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- 2026-06-30: The previous question was ordered without objection.
- 2026-06-30: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1399.
- 2026-06-30: Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H4345-4346)
- 2026-06-30: QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE - Mr. Massie rose to a question of the privileges of the House and offered the resolution. The Chair directed the Clerk to report the resolution. Upon examination of the resolution, the Chair determined that the resolution did constitute a question of the privileges of the House.
Bill Versions
- Directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records relating to .monetary settlements involving acts of sexual harassment. — issued 2026-06-30 — PDF (4 pages)