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U.S. NEWS Thursday 30 November 2017
Facing pressure, House OKs anti-harassment training

By ALAN FRAM quietly settled a complaint
Associated Press by a former aide who said
WASHINGTON (AP) — The he’d harassed her, but at
House easily approved a bi- least three of his colleagues
partisan measure Wednes- have said he should quit
day requiring lawmakers the House. Conyers has de-
and aides to take annual nied the charges.
anti-harassment training as One critic, Rep. Kathleen
lawmakers faced heavy Rice, D-N.Y., said she left a
pressure to address bur- meeting of House Demo-
geoning sexual miscon- crats early because the ha-
duct allegations against rassment issue wasn’t be-
members of Congress. ing taken seriously enough.
Passage, by voice vote, She cited recent firings of
came as Congress battled media figures by their com-
over Republican tax cuts panies and told reporters,
and a potential govern- “We don’t do the same,
ment shutdown, even as and I think it’s a disgrace.”
lawmakers were forced Top Democrats disput-
to address accusations ed that, and one senior
against some of their own. aide said eight lawmak-
They included liberal he- ers discussed the issue at
roes Rep. John Conyers Wednesday’s closed-door
and Sen. Al Franken and House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., speaks during a meeting with President Donald Trump in meeting.
far-right GOP Senate can- the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, along with Ryan told reporters that
didate Roy Moore of Ala- Republican congressional leaders. Conyers had “made the
bama. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) right decision” by leaving
With Conyers being pressed losi, D-Calif., said without no room for sexual harass- Despite the unanimity in his Judiciary post. Conyers
to resign from Congress by mentioning the 88-year- ment “in any workplace, let addressing the problem, has returned to Detroit.
House Minority Leader Nan- old Michigan Democrat’s alone in the United States there was discord as one But the speaker side-
cy Pelosi and others, Pelosi name. She said Congress Congress.” Ryan, R-Wis., Democrat complained stepped a question on
seemed to suggest it was should have zero tolerance told reporters that having that leaders weren’t being whether lawmakers should
time for the long-serving lib- for abuse, “no matter your a hostile environment on aggressive enough. more vocally address some
eral icon to step down. contribution to our coun- Capitol Hill is “a disgrace” Conyers surrendered his women’s claims that they
“No matter how great the try.” and added, “We will not post as the House Judiciary were sexually harassed by
legacy, it is not a license Earlier, House Speaker Paul tolerate that kind of behav- Committee’s top Demo- Donald Trump before he
to harass and abuse,” Pe- Ryan said there should be ior.” crat after a report that he’d became president.q

Trump backs McCaskill opponent as he stumps for tax bill

Continued from Front to vote her out of office,”
Critics say both the House Trump said then.
and Senate versions will In a statement, McCaskill
disproportionately help the said she remains “eager to
wealthy and corporations. support real, bipartisan tax
Trump used the speech to reform” and would “jump
lend support to Missouri At- at the chance to support
torney General Josh Haw- a plan” that would “deliv-
ley, who is running for Mc- er relief to Missouri’s work-
Caskill’s seat. ing families, simplify the
“I said, ‘Josh when you’re tax code, close loopholes
ready, you have my word, exploited by the rich, and
I’m going to come here lower the corporate tax
and campaign with you,’” rate.”
Trump said. “We gotta get “Unfortunately, this tax plan
you in.” doesn’t live up the commit-
The visit comes a day after ment I got from President
the Senate Finance Com- Trump, when he told me he
mittee advanced a sweep- wouldn’t support tax reform
ing tax package to the full President Donald Trump speaks about tax reform Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, in St. Charles, Mo. that benefited the very rich
Senate, handing Repub- (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) at the expense of the little
lican leaders a victory as guy,” she said.
they try to pass the nation’s ate Democrats up for re- leaders and Trump saying if McCaskill didn’t support Several hundred Trump
first tax overhaul in 31 years. election in 2018 in states they won’t support any his plan, voters should push opponents and about 100
But the bill still faces hurdles won by Trump and is con- GOP effort to overhaul the her out of office. Trump supporters gathered
in the Senate, where Re- sidered one of the most tax system that delivers “We must lower our taxes, outside the St. Charles con-
publicans have just two vulnerable incumbents. cuts to the top 1 percent or and your senator, Claire vention center as the presi-
votes to spare in their 52-48 She was among 45 Senate adds to the government’s McCaskill, she must do this dent spoke, holding signs
edge over Democrats. Democrats who in August $20 trillion debt. for you. And if she doesn’t and chanting competing
McCaskill is among 10 Sen- sent a letter to Republican Trump said in August that do it for you, you have got slogans.q