House Administration Committee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., is defending her rollout of the House of Representatives’ mandatory anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training.
More than 100 days into the 116th Congress, there’s been no consideration by the full House of a resolution from the House Administration Committee that would bind members and staff in the chamber to the compulsory education program. Lofgren introduced the measure in January on behalf of her and ranking member Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill. Their panel, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the House, is still reviewing the curriculum.
“Among the changes being considered are requiring the Office of House Employment Counsel to provide the training to Members of Congress and creating a separate training for supervisory and non-supervisory employees,” Lofgren wrote Monday evening in a letter to Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., a member of the committee concerned by the delay.
The California Democrat, who shared her note with the Washington Examiner, said majority and minority staff have had multiple meetings and briefings regarding the syllabus, some of which have incorporated the House’s chief administration officer.
“Any statement that Members and staff have not received anti-harassment training in the 116th Congress would be inaccurate,” Lofgren wrote. “Moreover, this Committee worked together on a bipartisan basis to provide the New Member Orientation for all new Members of the House. That training included presentations specifically to educate all new Members about workplace rights and responsibilities issues.”
Lofgren added that she expected H.Res.30 to be approved by the full House soon, during “the next district work period,” which would be in early May.
Walker on Tuesday welcomed the development.
“Though overdue, I am thankful Chairperson Lofgren has now promised to implement the anti-sexual harassment training during the next work period,” Walker, the House Republican Conference vice chairman, said in a statement. “This committee obligation is essential to help ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all.”
The need for anti-harassment and related training in Congress has taken on new urgency in recent years as members of both parties have been accused of inappropriate behavior. In 2017, female House members testified that they were aware of at least three sitting lawmakers guilty of sexual misconduct. Meanwhile, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, Rep. Rubén Kihuen, D-Nev., and Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., either resigned or did not seek reelection due to revelations of alleged sexual misdeeds. Anti-harassment and anti-discrimination education was among the first initiatives introduced in reaction to the controversies.
