The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to reject a resolution that would have required the public release of reports related to sexual harassment and misconduct investigations involving members of Congress and their aides.
The measure failed by a vote of 357–65, with lawmakers from both major parties opposing the proposal. The resolution would have directed the House Ethics Committee to disclose records tied to investigations involving allegations of sexual harassment or misconduct by members of Congress or congressional staff.
Supporters of the resolution argued that the public has a right to know whether taxpayer dollars have been used to settle sexual harassment claims involving elected officials quietly. Critics say congressional settlements have historically been handled through confidential processes, often drawing scrutiny from watchdog groups and transparency advocates.
During debate on the measure, Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna accused colleagues of shielding misconduct and preventing transparency.
“We know that members of Congress are using taxpayer dollars to pay off sexual harassment,” the member said on the House floor. “We just had a member of Congress literally sexually harass a woman that then lit herself on fire and you guys all protected him.”
The allegation referenced a recent controversy involving a member of Congress accused of harassment, though details surrounding that incident remain under dispute.
The failed resolution means the Ethics Committee will not be required to publicly release investigative reports related to sexual misconduct cases, leaving the current disclosure process largely unchanged.
The issue of congressional accountability and the use of taxpayer-funded settlements has periodically resurfaced on Capitol Hill, with critics arguing the system allows allegations to be quietly resolved without public scrutiny.
Tennessee members of Congress Scott Desjarlais, Chuck Fleischmann, Diana Harshbarger, David Kustoff, John Rose, and Matt Van Epps all voted with Dems (like Memphis Rep. Steve Cohen) in the vote to keep sexual harassment records and payoffs with taxpayer money to their victims hidden from the public. Representatives Andy Ogles and Tim Burchett were the only two Tennesseans who stood for transparency and accountability.
Sixty five members of the House voted to release the names of the Congress members who used taxpayer funds to settle sexual assault claims – 43 Republicans and 22 Democrats. 182 Democrats and 175 Republicans voted to cover up for their fellow members, including dozens of Democrat women who continue to scream about the Epstein files, such as Pelosi, AOC, Ilhan Omar, and Talib.
Tim Burchett was scathing in his response to the vote: “The House just did the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen. We just voted to cover up sexual harassment of employees by members, if you can believe that. They sent it to the Ethics Committee, so a bunch of congressmen are going to investigate themselves.” Millions of tax dollars, over $17 million, were part of the sexual slush fund they are hiding, according to Burchett.
“I am in favor of more oversight of government spending. But, it would be a mistake to throw away due process by releasing claims that haven’t yet been investigated or have been found to be unsubstantiated,” Rose told Tristar Daily. “And frankly, the promise of confidentiality is the only reason many victims feel comfortable reporting workplace harassment. We can’t compromise that.”
TriStar Daily will provide updates as other members in Tennessee explain their vote on this issue.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
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