11 February 2022

GOOD NEWS IN POLITICS: Congress approves bill to end forced arbitration in sexual assault cases

The bill, called the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, was passed with a large bipartisan vote by the House of Representatives on Monday and heads to President Biden's desk for his signature.

Congress approves bill to end forced arbitration in sexual assault cases

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                Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson speaks as (L-R) U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) look on after passage of the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act.
                
                
                    
                    Alex Wong/Getty Images
                    
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        Alex Wong/Getty Images

"The Senate approved legislation banning the practice of using clauses in employment contracts that force victims of sexual assault and harassment to pursue their cases in forced arbitration, which shields accused perpetrators.

Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., introduced the bill five years ago and lawmakers negotiated with business leaders to get support for the bill. In a sign of the overwhelming support for the measure, it was approved by voice vote in the chamber...

The bill gives individuals a choice between going to court or going to arbitration to resolve allegations in cases related to sexual harassment or assault. The measure is also retroactive — invalidating any existing forced arbitration clauses in ongoing cases that could make it difficult for any survivors to litigate cases against their employers.

Gillibrand said this bill represents "one of the most significant workplace reforms in history." She said estimates indicate about 60 million Americans are subject to these clauses.

"No more arbitration in the basement about misconduct up top," Graham said. He predicted that corporate America will "up their game" and adopt new practices as a result of the bill.

Gretchen Carlson, the former Fox News anchor who accused Roger Ailes, the then CEO of the news outlet, of sexual harassment more than five years ago, learned the clause forcing arbitration was in her contract. She pursued litigation against Ailes personally and won a settlement, but has been part of the effort to press Congress to change the law. . ."

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