Call to Action: April 5, 2018

All 22 women in the Senate have issued a letter demanding that Senate leadership move on Congressional sexual harassment reform.

Currently, survivors of harassment who try to hold members of Congress and congressional staffers accountable face significant obstacles:
— months of counselling, mediation and “cooling off”
— paying for their own legal representation
— signing non-disclosure agreements

The accused have provided for them, at taxpayer expense:
— legal representation
— any cash settlements

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty took months to fire her male Chief of Staff for harassment against a female staffer, despite recorded evidence of physical threats. Esty has apologized but has not resigned. The survivor said the system “isolates and ignores those who need protection most.”

In February the House passed a bill: 
— eliminating delays in pressing harassment claims
— creating an Office of Employee Advocacy, providing free legal representation
— requiring settlements to be made public, and paid with personal, not taxpayer funds

McConnell dislikes the provision denying taxpayer money for settlements and the bill is not expected to be voted on this year.

Survivors of harassment who seek justice must be supported. Our Senators must

join their women colleagues . . .

Demand Action Now!

**ACTION 1: CALL YOUR SENATORS** 
(Leave a message if you can’t get through.)

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS WYDEN AND MERKLEY: 
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am concerned about sexual harassment in Congress. All 22 women in the Senate, Democrats and Republicans, have united in a call for action to move on sexual harassment reform in Congress and pass legislation like the House has. Please ask the Senator to join with their women colleagues and demand that Senate leadership bring S.2401, the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act to a vote now. Thank you.”

**ACTION 2: SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY** 
Share this post with friends and family. Help them leave messages for their Senators to demand that Senate leadership bring S.2401 the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act to a vote.

SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY 
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/

SENATOR RON WYDEN 
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/