Bill Text: MI HR0412 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the United States Senate to develop fair, deliberative, and neutral protocols to address and investigate sexual assault and harassment claims related to presidential nominations subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-10-04 - Referred To Committee On Law And Justice [HR0412 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2017-HR0412-Introduced.html
Rep. Brinks offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 412.
A resolution to urge the United States Senate to develop fair, deliberative, and neutral protocols to address and investigate sexual assault and harassment claims related to presidential nominations subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Whereas, Under Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution, the President nominates and appoints judges of the Supreme Court, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and numerous other officers of the United States, subject to the advice and consent of the United States Senate; and
Whereas, The advice and consent process plays a vital role in ensuring a nominee's fitness and the public's trust in the men and women who serve in our nation's most distinguished offices. It provides an open and public process to determine that nominees meet the highest qualifications and our highest expectations of integrity; and
Whereas, Sexual assault and harassment claims against nominees are serious and relevant considerations in the confirmation process. These claims strike at the heart of a nominee's integrity and, as such, their fitness to serve in high office; and
Whereas, The current process for addressing sexual assault and harassment claims that arise during the confirmation process does little to evaluate the veracity of accusations. Instead, serious claims have been reduced to sensational hearings, rushed investigations, and accusations of political partisanship that treat neither the nominee nor his or her accuser with the dignity and respect that they deserve; and
Whereas, People across our nation are engaging in a public dialogue about sexual assault and harassment. As a society, we have too long dismissed or disbelieved the pain and trauma of victims, thus implicitly condoning such acts and allowing them to perpetuate. The current dialogue is addressing critical issues like the common delay in reporting or decision not to report incidents to law enforcement, the psychological responses and long-term trauma that can result from sexual assault, and the lack of educational information and resources for our students about these topics; and
Whereas, The manner in which our United States Senate responds to allegations of sexual assault or harassment by a nominee can shape the understanding of men and women across our country regarding these important issues and what is acceptable or not acceptable in American society. Adopting clear procedures that encourage victims to come forward with assurances that they will be treated fairly and equitably would be a significant statement that, as a nation, we will no longer tolerate these acts as well as ensure public confidence in the eventual appointee; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Senate to develop fair, deliberative, and neutral protocols to address and investigate sexual assault and harassment claims related to presidential nominations subject to the advice and consent of the Senate; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate and Michigan's United States Senators.
