Democrat: Congress ‘is not a frat house’

In the wake of a video showing a freshman Republican congressman kissing a staff member, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) on Tuesday introduced legislation requiring all members and staff to undergo sexual harassment training.

“This is the Congress of the United States of America. This is the House of Representatives of the United States of America,” Speier said on the House floor. “This is not a frat House.”

{mosads}Speier spoke one day after Rep. Vance McAllister (R-La.) admitted he kissed his scheduler. McAllister on Monday asked for forgiveness, but has also said he does not plan to resign from his seat.

Speier said these incidents happen to members of both parties, and said members and staff both need training to avoid future incidents.

“It is time for us to recognize that we have a problem,” she said.

“It is not OK to fondle a staff member. It is not OK to make suggestive comments to a staff member. It is not OK to have provocative pictures on your computer.”

She said her bill would require all members and staff to train in sexual harassment at least once every two years. She also added that this training is similar to what most companies require their employees to undergo when they are hired.

Her legislation is in the form of a resolution that changes House rules to require member and staff sexual harassment training.

— This story was updated at 6:24 p.m. to include the text of Speier’s resolution.