Discussion · House of Representatives
Bruce Westerman Republican
“I support this bill. It protects more NOAA workers from sexual assault and sexual harassment, and it requires more reporting and transparency when these problems happen.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 2406, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025. The Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act required NOAA to develop a policy to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment within its workforce. In 2021, the Government Accountability Office found that while NOAA has made progress, more work remains. H.R. 2406 expands coverage of NOAA’s sexual harassment prevention and response policy to include observers and the voting members and staff of the regional fishery management councils. It also expands existing reporting requirements and requires additional transparency in cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment. This legislation will advance the protection of NOAA’s workforce. I appreciate the minority working with us on this, and I reserve the balance of my time.”
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 2406, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025. The Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act required NOAA to develop a policy to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment within its workforce. In 2021, the Government Accountability Office found that while NOAA has made progress, more work remains. H.R. 2406 expands coverage of NOAA’s sexual harassment prevention and response policy to include observers and the voting members and staff of the regional fishery management councils. It also expands existing reporting requirements and requires additional transparency in cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment. This legislation will advance the protection of NOAA’s workforce. I appreciate the minority working with us on this, and I reserve the balance of my time.