H.R. 6627 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6627 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 7, 2022Mr. Gaetz introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration A BILL To amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to require the application of the administrative and judicial dispute-resolution procedures to registered lobbyists for claims alleging sexual harassment or sexual assault, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Lobbyist Accountability Act. 2. Application of administrative and judicial dispute-resolution procedures for certain claims against registered lobbyists (a) In general Title IV of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 418. Application of administrative and judicial dispute-resolution procedures to registered lobbyists (a) In general With respect to a claim by a covered employee alleging sexual harassment or sexual assault by an individual who is a registered lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), the lobbying firm (as such term is defined in section 3 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1602)) that employs such registered lobbyist shall be deemed an employing office for the purpose of the application of the procedures under this title for the consideration of any such claim. (b) Remedy The remedy with respect to an allegation described in subsection (a) shall be— (1) such remedy as would be appropriate if awarded under section 706(g) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–5(g)); and (2) such compensatory damages as would be appropriate if awarded under section 1977 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1981), or as would be appropriate if awarded under sections 1977A(a)(1), 1977A(b)(2), and, irrespective of the size of the employing office, 1977A(b)(3)(D) of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1981a(a)(1), 1981a(b)(2), and 1981a(b)(3)(D)). (c) Reimbursement for payment of award or settlement If a payment is made from the account described in section 415(a) for an award or settlement in connection with a claim described in subsection (a), the lobbying firm that employs such individual shall reimburse the account for the amount of the award or settlement for the claim involved. . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Filing and review of claims Section 401 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1401) is amended— (A) in subsection (a), by inserting or an allegation described in section 418(a) after part A of title II; and (B) in subsection (e), by inserting or an allegation described in section 418(a) after the consideration of an alleged violation of part A of title II. (2) Initiation of procedures Section 402(a)(1) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1402(a)(1)) is amended by inserting or an allegation described in section 418(a) after under part A of title II. (3) Judicial review Section 407(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1407(a)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting or an allegation described in section 418(a) after arising under part A of title II. (c) Clerical amendment The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 417 the following new item: Sec. 418. Application of administrative and judicial dispute-resolution procedures to registered lobbyists. . (d) Effective date This section and the amendments made by this section shall apply to any claims filed or payments made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.