Article snippet: All 22 women in the United States Senate fired off a letter Wednesday morning expressing their “deep disappointment” that the Senate has failed to act on legislation that would update and strengthen options available to victims of sexual harassment in congressional workplaces. “Everyone deserves to work in an environment free from harassment and discrimination,” the senators wrote in their letter directed to the top Republican in the Senate, Chuck Schumer. The letter was spearheaded by Democratic Sens. Patty Murray and was signed by every female U.S. senator. “Survivors who have bravely come forward to share their stories have brought to light just how widespread harassment and discrimination continue to be throughout Capitol Hill. No longer can we allow the perpetrators of these crimes to hide behind a 23-year-old law. It’s time to rewrite the Congressional Accountability Act and update the process through which survivors seek justice,” the senators wrote. The senators are urging for meaningful reforms to what they say is an antiquated dispute resolution process, which became law under the Congressional Accountability Act in 1995. The process involves a month-long counseling session, forced mediation and a 30-day “cooling off” period – all of this taking place before a victim can make a decision whether to pursue further action either in a courtroom or within the administrative process. Negotiators came close to attaching a bipartisan, bicameral de... Link to the full article to read more