Congress used $4 million in taxpayer money to settle harassment suits in one year alone

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On Thursday, journalist Leeann Tweeden accused Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) of groping her and kissing her without her consent in 2006, providing photo evidence of Franken touching her breasts while she was asleep. The allegations against Franken are but the latest of mounting stories of inappropriate conduct or unwanted contact by government figures, including Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore as well as former President George H.W. Bush.

Earlier this week, CNN reported that women on Capitol Hill, past and present, circulate a word-of-mouth "creep list" that warns of "the male members most notorious for inappropriate behavior." Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) additionally testified before the House that two sitting lawmakers — one Republican, one Democrat — have been accused of sexual harassment.

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Kimberly Alters

Kimberly Alters is the news editor at TheWeek.com. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.