Directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records relating to .monetary settlements involving acts of sexual harassment.

119th Congress Introduced by Thomas Massie

Requires House Ethics to preserve and publicly release records of monetary settlements from sexual harassment, increasing transparency and public access.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Summary of H.Res. 1399 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

H.Res. 1399 directs the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records related to monetary settlements involving acts of sexual harassment.

The resolution frames the action as a matter of congressional ethics transparency and accountability, ensuring that settlements connected to acts of sexual harassment are preserved and made accessible to the public.

Key provisions and changes

Obligates the House Committee on Ethics to preserve records of monetary settlements arising from sexual harassment allegations.

Requires the public release of those records, enabling wider access to information about settlements involving acts of sexual harassment within or related to the legislative branch.

The resolution is procedural in nature, directing an existing committee to carry out preservation and disclosure duties rather than creating new agency bodies or funding mechanisms.

It does not specify the exact scope or timeframe for the records (e.g., confidential settlements, multiyear records, or categories of settlements), as those details are typically addressed by the committee's implementing procedures.

Who or what would be affected

House Committee on Ethics would directly implement the preservation and public release requirements.

Individuals or entities involved in settlements (e.g., members of Congress, staff, or related staff misconduct cases) could be affected insofar as records become publicly accessible.

Public readers, journalists, researchers, and oversight bodies would gain access to settlement information that previously may have been less accessible or confidential.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The resolution was considered as privileged matter and proceeded with debate in the House.

A motion to postpone or reconsider was agreed to and then laid on the table; the resolution passed on June 30, 2026, by a vote of 420-0 with 1 present (Roll no. 233).

The action history shows standard House procedures: debate, the giving of the question to agree to the resolution, a motion to reconsider laid on the table, and final passage as agreed by voice vote followed by a recorded roll-call vote.

The resolution does not establish a separate effective date; rather, it directs the Committee on Ethics to take the preservation and disclosure actions, likely subject to standard timelines and procedures adopted by the committee.

Sponsorship

Primary sponsor: Thomas Massie (co-sponsor listed as well).

Practical significance

Enhances transparency around settlements related to sexual harassment within the legislative environment.

Provides public accountability by ensuring records are not only preserved but also accessible to the public.

May impact the handling of future settlements and the internal process for documenting and disclosing such information.