H.R. 7031, the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2018
Legislation
H.R. 7031, the "Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2018"
Statements
Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
Cosponsors
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), Rep. Daniel Lipinski (IL-03), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), Rep. Jacky Rosen (NV-03), Rep. Charlie Crist (FL-13), Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01), Rep. Conor Lamb (PA-18), Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37), Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Rep. Andre Carson (IN-07), Rep. Cedric Richmond (LA-02), Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11), Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Rep. John Lewis (GA-05), Rep. Al Green (TX-09), Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), Rep. William Lacy Clay Jr. (MO-01), Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), Rep. Marc A. Veasey (TX-33), Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-05), Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Rep. G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), Rep. Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Rep. Val Butler Demings (FL-10), Rep. Jackie Speier (CA-14), Anna G. Eschoo (CA-18)
Endorsements
Acoustical Society of America (ASA)
American Chemical Society (ACS)
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
“Sexual harassment in the academic workplace has been far too prevalent for far too long and must be eliminated. With this legislation, Congress has an opportunity to make a real difference through concrete, action-oriented steps directed to the pernicious problems so well identified in the recent National Academies consensus report. It is critical to the nation’s scientific enterprise that we have an evidence-based understanding of the causes and consequences of sexual harassment, are gathering national data on sexual harassment, promoting responsible workplace behavior, and coordinating federal science agency efforts in these areas. We applaud the introduction of this bill and urge its swift passage into law.”
Felice J. Levine, Executive Director, American Educational Research Association
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
American Mathematical Society (AMS)
American Meteorological Society (AMS)
“Sexual harassment comes in many forms, is insidious, and indeed destructive of many individual careers. In all its activities, the American Mathematical Society strives to foster a welcoming environment that encourages the free expression and exchange of ideas. Sexual harassment is a form of misconduct that undermines the integrity of the mathematics community and harms the scientific enterprise broadly. We applaud Congresswoman Johnson for leading this effort to address a serious problem for our community.”
Dr. Karen Saxe, Associate Executive Director, American Mathematical Society
American Physical Society (APS)
American Political Science Association (APSA)
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
“ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, supports the enactment of the ‘Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2018,’” said ACM CEO Vicki L. Hanson. “Like many scientific organizations, ACM has strengthened its efforts to ensure that no one working in the computing field should experience any form of sexual harassment. ACM’s recently updated Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct identifies sexual harassment as incompatible with our profession and subject to remedial action. We have also revised and strengthened ACM’s Policy Against Harassment. We believe that these are necessary steps to ensure that everyone in our field is welcomed by their peers and that they are treated with respect and dignity they deserve. We believe that additional funding to understand the causes and consequences of harassment is essential to help combat sexual harassment.”
Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)
Association for Women in Science (AWIS)
“The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is the leading advocate for women in STEM, with a global network of 100,000 members and affiliates. We are dedicated to fostering a safe and professional climate that enables women who are STEM professionals to launch successful careers. We are pleased to see Congressional action to fight sexual harassment and gender bias -- issues that continue to be highly pervasive. We strongly encourage all members of Congress to endorse the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2018. Your support will help women achieve equity in STEM. You also will be increasing the number of talented women who are able to help our country successfully compete in a global economy that is increasingly dependent on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”
Susan Windham-Bannister, PhD, President, AWIS National Governing Board
Computing Research Association (CRA)
Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA)
Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
“The Society of Women Engineers is committed to the advancement of women in engineering, and that means supporting women in science and academia. We are pleased that long-time ally, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, is once again standing up for fairness and decency in the scientific world with the introduction of the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act. A report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine confirmed what women in science have long known—not only is sexual harassment pervasive on the campuses of research institutions, it can be cruelly subtle for women scientists. Better understanding the causes and consequences of sexual harassment and reducing its incidence and impact, as the bill proposes, will support the endeavors of current and future female scientists and create a richer research enterprise in the United States.”
Karen Horting, Executive Director & CEO of the Society of Women Engineers
The Optical Society (OSA)
“Technological advancement thrives on a constant influx of new ideas from people with distinct perspectives and skills. To preserve the United States’ reputation for ingenuity, invention and innovation, our institutions of higher learning must foster environments where inclusivity is embraced and harassment and bullying is not tolerated. We cannot allow unacceptable conduct to continue driving women from science and engineering. The Optical Society appreciates Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson's recognition of this critical issue and supports her efforts to understand the contributing factors to and consequences of harassment on the scientific workforce. We further appreciate Ms. Johnson’s efforts to encourage victims to come forward and the establishment of visible and determined actions to address unacceptable conduct.”
Elizabeth A. Rogan, Chief Executive Officer, The Optical Society
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