House negotiators introduce resolution addressing sexual misconduct

Bipartisan House members introduced a bill to change the way Congress handles workplace harassment Thursday. It would force lawmakers found liable for misconduct to pay settlements with their own money to the Treasury, Politico reports. Under the legislation, the Office of Compliance would be required to release a report twice a year on misconduct settlements and reveal the identities of offices that are involved, the report added.

It was crafted by the chairman of the House Administration Committee, Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Mississippi, and its ranking member, Rep. Bob Brady, D-Pennsylvania as well as Rep. Jackie Speier, D-California, Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Virginia and Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Alabama.

Several lawmakers resigned from Congress late last year after they faces a slew of sexual misconduct allegations: Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, Rep. Trent Franks, R-Arizona and Rep. John Conyers, D-Michigan. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, who's been accused of improper behavior, has announced he won't seek re-election this year.