McCollum Statement on the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 (H.R. 4445)

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement today ahead of the House's consideration of the bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 (H.R. 4445).

"I am proud to support H.R. 4445, bipartisan legislation to remove the limitations on justice currently in place for victims of workplace sexual assault and sexual harassment. I would like to thank Rep. Cheri Bustos for her steadfast dedication to helping protect survivors and enabling future victims to have their claims heard. I look forward to voting in favor of this important legislation, and I hope the Senate brings this to a vote in the coming weeks."

Background:
All too often in this country, individuals are forced to sign arbitration clauses as part of their employment agreements. These clauses have a chilling effect for victims of workplace sexual harassment or sexual assault claims because it limits their ability to enforce their rights. Forced arbitration clauses also usually allow companies to select the arbitrators to hear disputes, creating a conflict of interest that often leaves victims at an unfair disadvantage. Arbitration is almost always resolved secretly and does not have to apply standards of law that most of our judicial system must follow.

H.R. 4445 would require claims of workplace harassment and assault to be decided by a judge, not an arbitrator, providing much-needed transparency and fairness to the process. Find more information on H.R. 4445 here.

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