Secret legislative settlements driven by sexual harassment, discrimination

Federal records suggest that race and gender discrimination, as well as sexual harassment, make up a significant portion of the complaints raised by legislative branch employees that routinely result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlement payments each year.

But the way federal records are kept makes it impossible to tell with any precision exactly how much is being paid out for each settlement, and for what reason.

The funding for these settlements is suddenly in the spotlight thanks to the recent revelation that two sitting House members have been accused of sexual misconduct, and a new report that Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., paid a woman $27,000 after she accused him of seeking sexual favors.

The Conyers settlement came out of his congressional office fund, not from a separate appropriation from Congress. But in most cases, Congress is able to appropriate any money it needs for these settlements, and Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., told a House hearing this month that more than $15 million was paid out to settle claims against lawmakers and staff over more than a decade. The Office of Compliance said $17 million was paid out over the last 20 years.

Those numbers outraged many in the public who say taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the bill for inappropriate activities by lawmakers, staff and other legislative branch employees. Many have also called for more transparency about why the payments are being made.