Representatives Norma Torres and Hank Johnson Host Roundtable Addressing Sexual Harassment and Workplace Misconduct in the Federal Judiciary

Representatives Norma Torres and Hank Johnson Host Roundtable Addressing Sexual Harassment and Workplace Misconduct in the Federal Judiciary

Washington D.C. -- Today, Rep. Norma Torres, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and member of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee that oversees the Federal Judiciary, and Rep. Hank Johnson, Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet led a roundtable discussion on sexual harassment and workplace misconduct in the Federal Judiciary. Joined alongside Judge Jamie Baker, lead of the National Academies of Public Administration Investigation into the Judiciary, Advocate and Lawyer Olivia Warren, Former Law Clerk for Judge Stephen Reinhardt, and Gretta Goodwin, Ph.D., Director of Homeland Security and Justice Team, Government Accountability Office, the roundtable highlighted experts, advocates, and stakeholders consideration of obstacles, exchange insights, and remedies to establish a more secure and fair work environment within the United States federal courts.

"No American should suffer sexual misconduct, abuse, or harassment while on the job, especially,within the federal Judiciary, where the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are expected. Still, sexual misconduct and abuse remains pervasive. The era of judges abusing their power and taking comfort in an environment that rewards silence and fear are over," said Congresswoman Norma Torres. "Today's discussion underscores the severity of what victims go through - the federal Judiciary continues to dismiss and deny its ongoing failure to protect its workforce from sexual misconduct- most concerned with its reputation at the expense of victims of abuse. Relying solely on the individual character and good nature of those who wield power or supervisory roles over the 30,000 federal Judiciary employees is demonstrably insufficient and frankly dangerous. Representative Hank Johnson and I will remain steadfast in our fight to deliver a just judiciary system and work towards rectifying these failures with urgency. The lack of transparency in this matter has captured the attention of the public, as well as members of the House and Senate, and we will continue our efforts until justice is achieved, regardless of whether the Judiciary willingly joins us in this effort or not."

"All workers deserve and should expect basic workplace rights that protect them from harassment, discrimination and other forms of misconduct," said Rep. Johnson, ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts. "Yet given the current lack of guardrails to prevent, discipline, or redress of judicial misconduct in federal courts, issues of harassment, discrimination, bullying, abusive conduct, and retaliation are pervasive in our federal courthouses nationwide. The fact that federal judiciary employees are denied basic civil rights protections that are afforded to all nonjudicial civilian government employees is wrong and must be fixed. The irony is the judicial branch metes out justice but there is no justice for judiciary employees. This isn't about punishing judges but rather about protecting workers and offering them the same basic workplace rights we all enjoy. My Judiciary Accountability Act will do just that by assisting our third branch in finally righting this glaring wrong. I'm pleased to join my friend and colleague Congresswoman Torres in this fight for a more equitable and just federal judiciary."

Background: Congresswoman Torres, in her role as a member of the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the Judiciary, is diligently working to enhance the systems safeguarding Judiciary employees by:

• Creating a resource hub to help victims of sexual harassment, assault and workplace misconduct.

• Establishing a whistleblowing intake form to report misconduct.

• Requesting the GAO and NAPA FJC reports to enhance endeavors in preventing and resolving workplace misconduct.

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