Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) is calling for greater transparency regarding the $17 million in taxpayer-funded settlements paid out by the Congressional Office of Compliance between 1997 and 2017. These settlements, which cover complaints ranging from sexual harassment to racial discrimination, were funded without revealing which members of Congress were responsible.
Massie argued that it’s essential for Congress to disclose who among them had taxpayers pay for their misconduct. He compared the situation to President Donald Trump, who was heavily criticized for personally paying $130,000 in a legal settlement, asking why Congress has shielded its members from the same level of scrutiny.
The fund in question was established under the 1995 Congressional Accountability Act, but the reporting process has remained opaque. This lack of transparency has left the public unaware of how much of the $17 million relates to sexual misconduct or other violations.
Massie has pushed for bipartisan accountability, stating that it’s unacceptable for the American people to be on the hook for these settlements without knowing the full details. “The taxpayers deserve to know,” he said, urging Congress to reveal which members forced taxpayers to cover their misconduct.
Despite the push for clarity, the complex reporting process continues to obscure these settlements. However, Massie is committed to ensuring that Congress faces the same accountability that it demands from others.