Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2019

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 36, the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2019. I am proud to say that this bill is a foundation of more than a year of investigation, analysis, and recommendations to the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Curbing sexual misconduct in science is a priority that Chairwoman Johnson and I share.

Engaging more women in STEM studies and careers is essential to American competitiveness. Women make up half the workforce, but account for less than 25 percent of America's STEM workforce.

Unfortunately, too many women have been driven out of STEM careers due to a culture of harassment and abuse.

H.R. 36 takes the first steps to address this problem. The bill directs the NSF to expand research efforts to better understand the causes and consequences of sexual harassment affecting individuals in the scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematics workforce.

Additionally, it directs the NSF to examine policies to reduce the prevalence and negative impact of such harassment.

The bill also supports the adoption of uniform guidance across the Federal science agencies to reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment involving grant personnel.

There is an established legal process in place within higher education and in the workplace for handling claims of sexual harassment. I cannot stress this enough: This bill does not alter that process.

What this bill does is to create a uniform policy for universities and research institutions to report to Federal science agencies when administrative action is taken that impacts the ability of a researcher to carry out a grant.

Pervasive sexual harassment in the scientific community discourages women from critical work in good-paying jobs and hurts American competitiveness.

It is unacceptable for taxpayer dollars to fund researchers who are guilty of harassing students or colleagues.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the stakeholders, especially the university community, for working with the committee staff to improve this legislation. I believe the revised bill strikes the right balance of protecting due process and privacy, while making sure that Federal science agencies can act if a Federal research grant or the personnel supported by that grant is impacted.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairwoman Johnson and her staff for working in a bipartisan and collaborative way to move this legislation forward.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

H.R. 36 takes the first steps towards addressing the prevalence of sexual harassment in STEM fields, which is driving women out of STEM careers and damaging U.S. competitiveness.

This legislation sends a strong message to the scientific community that misconduct will not be tolerated, and it sends a message to women who are in STEM studies and careers that we support them.

I look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate and stakeholders to advance this legislation and make sure it is meeting the intended goals.

Mr. Speaker, I again want to thank Chairwoman Johnson and her staff for working in a bipartisan and collaborative way on this legislation. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source