If Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has his way, the names of congressional legislators who used taxpayer funds to pay “hush money” to alleged victims of harassment would be released to the public.
The stance comes amid the release of a House Ethics Committee report alleging that former Rep. Matt Gaetz paid women for sex or drugs, with one incident involving a 17-year-old girl — Gaetz denies the claim and no charges have even been filed against him.
“Congress has secretly paid out more than $17 million of your money to quietly settle charges of harassment [sexual and other forms] in Congressional offices,” Massie posted on X. “Don’t you think we should release the names of the Representatives? I do.”
Congress has secretly paid out more than $17 million of your money to quietly settle charges of harassment (sexual and other forms) in Congressional offices.
Don’t you think we should release the names of the Representatives? I do.pic.twitter.com/hmqlLDO2h0
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 26, 2024
The Office of Compliance, which handles congressional harassment complaints, indicated back in 2017 that it has paid victims more than $17 million since its creation in the 1990s, according to CNN. The network noted that the amount was not limited to sexual harassment but also included discrimination and other cases. Seven years later, the total is sure to be higher.
At least one other member of Congress agrees with Massie.
“Yes. I want to release the congressional sexual slush fund list,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-GA) posted on X. “Tax payers should have never had to pay for that. Along with all the other garbage they should not have to pay for.”
Turns out, billionaire Elon Musk, who co-leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is also in agreement:
Whoa? Yeah
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 26, 2024
As Massie noted, there’s no telling who may be on the naughty list — perhaps even some of those piling on against Gaetz.
Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:
Our friend @RonDeSantis tried while he was in Congress.
A big reason why DC didn’t want him to be presidenthttps://t.co/xen4KlPsHJ
— Marybeth in Florida (@marybeth5025) December 27, 2024
This is a must.
What goes around comes around, and DC is long overdue for severe accountability.
Release the list!
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) December 26, 2024
Transparency is a must for a functional government.
— Planet Of Memes (@PlanetOfMemes) December 26, 2024
Release the Jeffrey Epstein client list
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) December 26, 2024
The House Ethics Committee, Chaired by @RepMichaelGuest , voted to release the report on @mattgaetz after saying they would not. Will they now release the names of the representatives who benefited from payouts to accusers who claimed they sexually harassed?
— Chris Hinkle (@BFConservative) December 27, 2024
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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