The House Administration Committee canceled a markup on two pieces of legislation set for Monday to overhaul sexual harassment policy on Capitol Hill, and they will instead head straight for a vote on the House floor this week.
The committee made the announcement early Monday afternoon hours before the planned markup on two pieces of legislation. The resolution would require every office on Capitol Hill to adopt a new anti-harassment policy, and a separate bill would create an Office of Employee Advocacy to represent the victims who bring forth allegations.
“Due to the availability of floor time, the committee is moving the bipartisan Congressional Accountability Act Reform Measures (the CAA Reform Act and House Resolution) to the floor this week," a spokesman for the committee said in a statement that said the markup has been canceled.
The legislation would also force lawmakers to reimburse the U.S. Treasury for settlements reached on their behalf. Among those who have settled cases with former aides is former Rep. John Conyers, a Democrat who was forced to resign after members of his own party came out en masse after a number of allegations of improper sexual misconduct.
Upon passage of the resolution, it will take immediate effect in the House. The CAA Reform bill will move over to the Senate for consideration if it passes the House.
Both pieces of legislation are bipartisan and sponsored by Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Miss., the committee's chairman, and Rep. Bob Brady, D-Pa., the committee's ranking member.
The House is expected to vote on the two pieces of legislation on Tuesday before recessing for the week. The House will be out of session while House Democrats hold their retreat in Cambridge, Md.