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Bruce Poliquin Co-sponsors Bill Mandating Sexual Harassment Training

The House has passed a resolution co-sponsored by Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine’s 2nd District mandating sexual harassment awareness and prevention training for members and staff.

“I don’t care if you are a professional athlete, or if you are in the media business or the entertainment business or certainly in the People’s House, here in Congress. There can be zero tolerance for this sort of behavior,” he says.

The resolution makes it clear that anyone that works for the House, including unpaid interns, are protected and must complete the training. It also requires representatives to post in their offices the rights and protections of staff members.

“Finding and preventing sexual harassment wherever it is, intimidation, bullying. This is a no-brainer for members of Congress. And I am asking Mr. Speaker, I’m asking everybody in this chamber whether you are a republican or democrat and yes on the other side of the dome in the Senate also to please, let’s pass this resolution,” he says.

The House currently does not mandate such training, but offers it as a voluntary option that many lawmakers, including Poliquin, have already completed.

Journalist Mal Leary spearheads Maine Public's news coverage of politics and government and is based at the State House.