Speaker Paul Ryan said he has ordered a “comprehensive review” of how the House handles sexual harassment allegations, including the payout of claims from a federal fund.
Ryan, R-Wis., said the House Administration Committee will start the process next week with a hearing on the matter.
“We are taking the issue of sexual harassment very seriously and we are going to continue to do that,” Ryan said. “We need to have a comprehensive review of all of these things so we can have a comprehensive response.”
The House will vote Wednesday on a resolution that will require all lawmakers, their staff, and interns to undergo sexual harassment training.
Ryan signaled there would be more action to deal with harassment, which has gripped the Capitol in recent days after sexual misconduct claims against lawmakers and the revelation of the existence of a federal fund to pay for harassment settlements.
“We cannot and we will not tolerate that kind of behavior,” Ryan said.
Ryan called the harassment training measure, “an important first step as we deal with this problem.”
