Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank Lois Frankel, Cheri Bustos, the chairman, and chairmen of our subcommittees, from David Cicilline to Chairman…”

“I thank Lois Frankel, Cheri Bustos, the chairman, and chairmen of our subcommittees, from David Cicilline to Chairman Cohen, for the work that they have done. Let me agree with the gentleman from Kentucky in saying that it doesn't cost much. In fact, it doesn't cost much of anything as compared to the abuse that women have suffered for decades. Let me also agree with the gentleman that there are and is something called States' rights under the Tenth Amendment, but let me be very clear that women don't have to suffer life-or-death circumstances under the Constitution. I hold this book up for everybody to understand that this book does not require silence. This is not the Constitution of silence. This is not the Constitution of the 14th Amendment with equal protection of the law, yet as a woman you are silenced. It does not require due process, but you are silenced. Let me give you a fact. More than half of all employed women report experiencing sexual harassment or sexual assault while at work. As a result, there is a significant concern that NDAs are, in fact, abusive, to the extent that it breaks a woman to not be able to tell of her harassment, abuse, or her rape. Today, widespread sexual misconduct can be covered up by NDAs that are hiding the fine print that says, take it or leave it.…”