On the recordApril 8, 2014
I have spent a fair amount of time on the House floor talking about sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape in the military; in fact, I have spoken 30 times about that issue. But it is apparent that we also need to spend some time talking about sexual harassment in this Chamber. This is the Congress of the United States of America. This is the House of Representatives of the United States of America. This is not a frat house. Regrettably, this week, another one of our colleagues was discovered engaged in inappropriate action with a member of his staff. This is not the first time. It will probably not be the last time. It happens on the Republican side. It happens on the Democratic side. That doesn't make it okay. Almost 25 years ago, Anita Hill testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. There were six male Senators that questioned her. They suggested that she somehow had wanted it or was lying. I was so mad. I remember watching that testimony and throwing my slipper at the television. That was in 1991. The following year, 1992, was called the Year of the Woman in Congress. Women were mad. That year, more women were elected to Congress than ever before. In fact, in California, we elected two U.S. Senators: Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer. It is time for us to recognize that we have a problem. It is not okay to fondle a staff member. It is not okay to make suggestive comments to a staff member.…
