Rep. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that he’s working on legislation to prevent tax dollars from paying for settlements of congressional members.
“I’m working on legislation to unseal settlement records, bar use of tax dollars to pay claims against members & staff, prohibit members from using office budgets to camouflage payments (a Conyers rule) & require reimbursement of the taxpayer,” the Florida Republican tweeted.
Mr. DeSantis said the report that Rep. John Conyers, Michigan Democrat, had paid off private settlements with taxpayer funds is one reason for more transparency in the settlement and budget process.
“That’s one of the reasons we have to unseal these records,” he said Wednesday on Fox News. “We need the transparency for that.”
Mr. Conyers acknowledged that his office paid $27,000 to a former staff member who claimed she was fired for refusing the congressman’s sexual advances, BuzzFeed reported.
“I don’t think members should be able to camouflage payments with office budgets,” Mr. DeSantis said.
He said his legislation would require more transparency for members’ office budget and discretionary fund to prevent that money from going towards these settlements.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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