Congress Sexual Misconduct: 3x Higher Than Reported

0:00On April 21st, a new report from the National Women's Defense League lays out the scope of sexual misconduct in Congress over the last 20 years. 49 members face public accusations, racking up 133 claims total. 30 of them got hit with 53 workplace harassment charges alone, hitting both parties hard. It's bipartisan trouble. 60% Republicans, 40% Democrats, and nearly all men. But the real numbers are way higher, likely three times what we see, since 70% of victims never report. Earlier this month, Rep's Tony Gonzalez and Eric Swalwell both resigned amid their own allegations, dodging deeper probes. Resignations act like a free pass, shutting down congressional investigations while letting these folks keep pensions or floor access. Survivors then chase justice through courts, which drag on and cost a fortune. Staffers bear the brunt over 75% of federal cases involved them, with no trusted places to speak up.

1:00State lawmakers echo the mess, calling reporting systems rigged by insiders. 23 accused politicians are running for re-election next year, 13 at state level, 9 in Congress and 80% could win easy. The House Ethics Committee owned up to gaps, like losing grip when members bail and struggling to get vulnerable witnesses talking. Having real safeguards now means protecting staff daily, not just on paper. This has been Entertainment and Celebrity News. Today, powered by AI, I'm Corey with The Story.