Full Breakdown
House Forces Disclosure of Taxpayer-Funded Sexual Harassment Settlements
7/2/2026, 1:12:45 AM
Resolution Forces Settlement Disclosure
On June 30, the House adopted H.Res. 1399 with a 420-0 vote (one member present). The resolution directs the House Ethics Committee and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR) to preserve and, within 60 days, release the names of any member who used taxpayer dollars for sexual-harassment or misconduct settlements and the settlement amounts. Staff names are excluded.
Background
The 1995 Congressional Accountability Act created a fund for workplace harassment settlements involving lawmakers. In 2018, Congress ended taxpayer financing of such settlements, requiring members to reimburse payouts. In 2026, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) subpoenaed OCWR records and released them in May, prompting a failed March resolution for broader disclosure. The June vote follows the resignations of Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) after sexual-assault allegations, heightening transparency calls.
Settlement Data
OCWR documents show over $500,000 in taxpayer-funded sexual-harassment settlements since 2007. Seven former members are listed: Democrats Alcee Hastings (FL), Eric Massa (NY) and John Conyers (MI); Republicans Blake Farenthold (TX), Patrick Meehan (PA), Rodney Alexander (LA) and Carolyn McCarthy (NY). Fox News reported $330,000, while the Washington Times cited “more than half a million dollars,” showing a gap. OCWR confirmed that files before 2004 were destroyed.
Official Statements
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), the sponsor, said the measure is needed “to convince the people … that we are conducting the people’s business with the utmost integrity.” The House Ethics Committee said it has not been notified of any awards or settlements relating to allegations of sexual harassment by a member since the 2018 amendment. Rep. Nancy Mace, who voted present, called the vote “nothing more than political theater” because she had already released the records.
Opposition
Mace’s present vote reflects that the resolution duplicates prior efforts. The Ethics Committee warned that disclosure could retraumatize victims and deter witnesses, raising privacy and due-process concerns. Excluding staff names is a compromise to balance transparency with confidentiality.
Conflicting Reports
Sources differ on the total—$330,000 versus “more than half a million dollars.” Records before 2004 are unavailable, leaving open the possibility of more undisclosed settlements. No post-2018 settlement has been reported as repaid, but incomplete data prevents a full assessment of taxpayer exposure.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If somebody thinks what I’m doing is redundant, then it’s an easy yes vote,” — Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY
- “I already did this,” — Rep. Nancy Mace, R-SC
- “How many more settlements are buried waiting to be uncovered?” — Rep. Nancy Mace, R-SC
- “Americans deserve to know precisely how their money is spent.” — Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY
What’s Next
The Ethics Committee must publish the report by late August. Lawmakers whose settlements are disclosed may pursue legal challenges to limit release. The data may shape primary and general-election campaigns as voters assess how public funds have been used to settle misconduct claims.
