Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2695, the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act.

I am proud to say that this bill has a foundation of years 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 over 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. 2695 takes the first steps to address this problem. The bill directs NSF to expand research efforts to better understand the causes and consequences of sexual harassment affecting individuals in the scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematical workforces.

Additionally, it directs 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 combat sexual harassment involving grant personnel.

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

What this bill does do is create a uniform policy requiring universities and research institutions to report to Federal science agencies when an 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 and good-paying jobs and hurts American competitiveness. It is unacceptable for taxpayer dollars to fund researchers who are guilty of harassing students or colleagues.

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, H.R. 2695 takes the first steps towards addressing sexual harassment in STEM fields, which is driving women out of STEM careers and damaging U.S. competitiveness.

While some progress has been made since the Science, Space, and Technology Committee first started investigating the issue almost 4 years ago, there is still much more work to be done. 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.

This bill passed the House last Congress, and I look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate and stakeholders to advance this legislation into law this year.

I again want to thank Chairwoman Johnson and her staff for working in a bipartisan and collaborative way on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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