The House will take up legislation called the BLAKE Act—”Bad Lawmakers Accountability and Key Emends Act”—crafted to prevent lawmakers from using taxpayers’ money to pay out sexual harassment settlements without reimbursement, the signature move of now-retired Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX).
According to a Tuesday CNN report, the bill would prevent lawmakers from lobbying Congress until the money is repaid.
Farenthold has yet to pay back the $84,000 he used to settle with an aide, and was soon back in Washington lobbying on behalf of the Calhoun Port Authority. He has since left that job.
BLAKE Act - Ha, priceless!
No not priceless, the cost is $84K.
Um. What if they’re still in Congress or don’t plan to lobby? Surely they could do something more direct such as declaring such payments to be the misuse of taxpayer money that gives rise at a minimum to personal civil liability or preferably to a felony charge.
Wouldn’t make it past the current Senate. Wait until we have both chambers and the WH to get this enacted.
What a legacy to leave this country after your few short years of service…