Yahoo – AFP,
Michael Mathes, November 27, 2017
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| Democratic comedian-turned-senator Al Franken returned to Washington Monday after apologizing for allegations he harassed a colleague during an entertainment tour a decade ago (AFP Photo/JIM WATSON) |
Washington
(AFP) - The US Congress returned to Washington Monday after the Thanksgiving
break determined to tackle sexual harassment within its ranks, following a
string of allegations targeting sitting lawmakers.
Comedian-turned-Democratic-senator
Al Franken, under scrutiny over multiple allegations of misconduct, offered a
fresh apology as he arrived on Capitol Hill, while veteran Democrat John
Conyers has stepped down from a leadership position over similar claims.
Compounding
the discomfort on Capitol Hill, President Donald Trump -- who himself has faced
multiple accusations of harassment -- has doubled down on his support for Roy
Moore, the embattled Republican Senate candidate from Alabama who stands
accused of molesting or harassing teenage girls as young as 14.
As
Washington began coming to grips with the extent of the problem in its midst,
following broader revelations of endemic sexual harassment in Hollywood and the
media, Congress has taken steps to right a listing ship.
The Senate
recently approved a resolution calling for mandatory anti-harassment training
for all senators and staff. The House of Representatives votes on a similar
measure this week.
With fresh
allegations targeting two unnamed lawmakers, a congresswoman introduced a House
bill that would overhaul the antiquated process for filing sexual harassment
complaints in Congress to allow for greater transparency, accountability, and
victim support.
The
Congressional Office of Compliance acknowledged last week that it has paid
victims over $17 million in more than 260 settlements since 1997.
But under
current rules, accusers are required to sign non-disclosure agreements in order
to initiate complaints, and any financial settlement reached is secret and paid
for by US taxpayers.
Congresswoman
Jackie Speier's ME TOO CONGRESS Act would do away with such requirements, and
force a lawmaker who settles a harassment claim to repay the government for the
amount of the award.
"This
is not a victim-friendly process," Speier, herself a victim of harassment
as a young congressional staffer, told ABC Sunday, referring to the existing
system.
Speier's
legislation appears to have the support of top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who
called for "an end to the days of secret settlements paid for by taxpayer
dollars."
'No magic
words'
On Monday,
Senator Franken returned to Washington to face the scrutiny of his colleagues
-- including fellow Democrats who have long called out the president over the
allegations of misconduct levied against him.
Franken has
apologized repeatedly after a sports broadcaster and former model, Leeann
Tweeden, accused him of kissing her, and touching her without consent as she
slept during a tour entertaining US troops deployed in Afghanistan.
Three women
have since come forward to say Franken touched their buttocks inappropriately.
"I
know that I have let a lot of people down," Franken told reporters outside
his office in Congress. "To all of you, I just want to again say I am
sorry.
"I
know there are no magic words that I can say to regain your trust and I know
that's going to take time. I'm ready to start that process and it starts with
going back to work today."
Long a
darling of the political left, Franken previously described a photograph that
appeared to show him groping Tweeden's breasts while she was asleep in body
armor, as "inexcusable" -- but has also insisted he would not leave
the Senate.
Democratic
leader Pelosi has also been forced to contend with one of her party's major
figures, congressman Conyers, who stands accused of sexually harassing staff
members.
Targeted by
a House Ethics Committee investigation, the 88-year-old Conyers, the
longest-serving lawmaker currently in Congress, has left his post on the
leadership of the Judiciary Committee.
"No
matter how great an individual's legacy, it is not a license for
harassment," Pelosi tweeted.
For
Republicans, the broader debate on harassment is tied up with the allegations
targeting Moore, who has refused to exit his Senate race despite the accusation
he assaulted several teenaged girls.
The
leadership of Trump's Republican Party has withdrawn support for Moore, as have
a number of senators, but the president himself has redoubled his support for
the former Alabama judge.
Trump
tweeted Sunday that "the last thing" Republicans need in the closely
divided Senate is a Democrat like Moore's rival Doug Jones, who he described as
"WEAK" on crime, immigration, gun rights and tax reform.
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