Chris Smith: “First of all, let me begin by thanking Chairman Harper for this outstanding bipartisan legislation, and Mr. Brady as…”

“First of all, let me begin by thanking Chairman Harper for this outstanding bipartisan legislation, and Mr. Brady as well. This is what this place can produce when we do come together. Obviously, it provides congressional employees with comprehensive protection from abuse, including zero tolerance for sexual harassment. The bill significantly increases transparency on Member conduct by publishing reports on awards and settlements, and it holds Members personally financially responsible, ending the charade of having taxpayers foot the bill for abuses. Very, very significantly, the new Office of Employee Advocacy, which the legislation creates, will provide free legal services to congressional employees. That is absolutely critical, Mr. Speaker, that House employees have a dedicated advocate to consult, assist, and to represent them. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Harper for including my bill, H.R. 4393, as section 303 of this bill. This section makes clear that employees of the Helsinki Commission and the China Commission, both of which I co-chair, are covered by the CAA. In 2011, Mr. Speaker, an employee, a woman employed by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, filed suit making sexual harassment and workplace retaliation allegations directed to a former chairman of the commission.…”