Members of Congress and their staffs would have to take anti-sexual harassment training each year under a measure that passed the House on Wednesday. We discuss the harassment climate on Capitol Hill and the latest on Roy Moore, Al Franken and John Conyers. We also take a look at the state Assembly’s focus on sexual harassment.
Hours before the voice vote, House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters that the hostile environment in Washington is “a disgrace.”
“Sexual harassment has no place in any workplace, let alone in the United States Congress,” Ryan said.
A new poll shows Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore with a five-point lead over Democrat Doug Jones. Moore is accused of sexual misconduct against several women, including allegations he pursued relationships with them when they were teenage girls and he was in his 30s.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Senator Al Franken said on Monday that he’s “sorry” after four women accused him of sexual misconduct. He said he hopes to regain people’s trust by returning to work. In addition, House Democrats are calling on Michigan Congressman John Conyers to resign as sexual harassment allegations against him continue to mount.
In the state Legislature, Assembly members and staff will have to undergo anti-harassment training at the start of each legislative session. However, Assembly leaders said on Tuesday that reporting and disciplinary policies for sexual harassment cases will not change.
What would you like to see lawmakers do to address the sexual harassment problem? Should Franken and Conyers resign? Should Moore drop out of the race? Share your thoughts at 1-800-642-1234 or ideas@wpr.org. You can also tweet us @wprmornings or post on the Ideas Network Facebook page.
Episode Credits
- Kate Archer Kent Host
- Kristin Nicholson Guest
- Bill Stewart Guest
- Laurel White Guest
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