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U.S. NEWS Friday 11 February 2022
Congress approves sex harassment bill in #MeToo milestone

By MICHELLE L. PRICE senators at a news confer-
NEW YORK (AP) — Con- ence after Senate passage
gress on Thursday gave fi- of the bill, said she could
nal approval to legislation never have imagined, af-
guaranteeing that people ter coming forward with
who experience sexual ha- her allegations five years
rassment at work can seek ago, that it would lead to
recourse in the courts, a a change in the law that
milestone for the #MeToo both Democrats and Re-
movement that prompted publicans would get be-
a national reckoning on hind.
the way sexual misconduct "Marching in the streets can
claims are handled. inspire us. Editorials can
The measure, which is ex- open our minds. Hashtags
pected to be signed by can galvanize, but legisla-
President Joe Biden, bars tion is the only thing that
employment contracts lasts," Carlson said.
from forcing people to set- An estimated 60 million
tle sexual assault or harass- American workers have
ment cases through arbi- clauses tucked into their
tration rather than in court, employment contracts
a process that often ben- forcing them to settle any
efits employers and keeps allegations of sexual mis-
misconduct allegations Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson, center, celebrates with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., conduct in private arbitra-
from becoming public. left, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., after Congress gave final approval to tion proceedings, rather
legislation guaranteeing that people who experience sexual harassment at work can seek re-
Significantly, the bill is ret- course in the courts, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 10, than in court. The wide-
roactive, nullifying that lan- 2022. spread practice has come
guage in contracts nation- Associated Press under fire in the wake of
wide and opening the door the #MeToo movement for
for people who had been sexual assault or harass- legislation in 2017 with Sen. vote. forcing employees to seek
bound by it to take legal ment in the workplace Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Former Fox News anchor recourse without a jury, a
action. come forward and be told The legislation had uncom- Gretchen Carlson, who ac- chance to appeal a de-
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who that they are legally forbid- monly broad, bipartisan cused the now-deceased cision or the sunlight of a
has spearheaded the ef- den to sue their employer support in a divided Con- network CEO Roger Ailes public court process.
fort, called it "one of the because somewhere in gress. That allowed the bill of making unwanted ad- "If you could ever say any
most significant workplace buried their employment to be passed in the Senate vances and harming her legislation was long over-
reforms in American his- contracts was this forced by unanimous consent — career when she rejected due, this is it," said Senate
tory." arbitration clause," she a procedure almost never him, testified in support of Majority Leader Chuck
Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said the said. used for significant legisla- the legislation. Some em- Schumer, D-N.Y. He called
arbitration process is secre- Gillibrand, who has fo- tion, especially one affect- ployee contracts at the it "almost medieval" to
tive and biased and denies cused on combating sex- ing tens of millions of Ameri- network included binding force victims of harassment
people a basic constitu- ual harassment and sexual cans. The House passed the arbitration clauses. and assault "to shut up, not
tional right: a day in court. misconduct in the military, bill this week on a robust Carlson, who appeared tell anyone about it and
"No longer will survivors of originally introduced the bipartisan basis in a 335- 97 with Gillibrand and other not seek justice."q

Black members of Biden's Cabinet to mark Black History Month

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE ership in the military, foreign House Office of Manage-
WASHINGTON (AP) — The affairs, the economy and ment and Budget. Young is
six Black members of Presi- other key policy areas. awaiting a vote by the Sen-
dent Joe Biden's Cabinet Scheduled to appear dur- ate to confirm her as direc-
are meeting for a Black His- ing the livestreamed event tor. She would be the first
tory Month event Thursday are Defense Secretary Black woman to lead the
highlighting their roles in Lloyd Austin, the first Black office if confirmed, which is
the administration, some of person in the post; Housing expected.
which are historic firsts. and Urban Development Biden promised the most
Actor Taraji P. Henson and Secretary Marcia Fudge; diverse Cabinet in U.S. his-
athletes Sloane Stephens Environmental Protection tory.
and Nneka Ogwumike will Agency chief Michael Re- The event with the Cabinet
also be on hand for a sep- gan, the first Black man in members will be followed
arate discussion of the im- that role; U.S. Ambassador by a separate livestreamed
portance of mental health to the United Nations Linda discussion on the impor-
and wellness in the Black Thomas-Greenfield; and tance of mental health Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a media brief-
community. Cecilia Rouse, chair of the and wellness in the Black ing at the Pentagon, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Washington.
The White House said the Council of Economic Advis- community, hosted by Su- Associated Press
six heads of big federal ers. Rouse is the first Black san Rice, Biden's domestic
departments and smaller woman to lead the coun- policy adviser, and Miriam Henson, tennis pro Ste- White House said.
agencies would take part cil. Delphin-Rittmon, who over- phens and WNBA player Biden issued a proclama-
in a moderated roundtable Also scheduled to partici- sees the Substance Abuse Ogwumike will share per- tion in January designating
discussion to highlight the pate is Shalanda Young, and Mental Health Services sonal stories about mental February as National Black
importance of Black lead- acting director of the White Administration. health and wellness, the History Month. q