Multiple Sexual Harassment Allegations Against President Trump

Cummings Backs Calls for Oversight Committee to Investigate

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement in response to a letter from 59 female Members of Congress asking the Committee to investigate numerous sexual harassment allegations against President Donald Trump:

“Congress is in the midst of a critical and long-overdue examination of allegations against its own Members — both before and after they were elected to Congress. The Oversight Committee is charged with examining similar allegations against Executive Branch employees and the President. It is extremely hard for Republicans to argue that Congress should ignore these multiple allegations. They deserve a bipartisan review, and I hope Chairman Gowdy will launch an investigation immediately.”

The 59 Members of Congress sent the letter to Cummings and Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy requesting a decision within 10 days.

As Chairman, Gowdy has authority to call hearings, issue subpoenas, compel the production of documents, and demand that witnesses sit for depositions.

Alternatively, the full Committee has authority under House rules to vote on proceeding with the investigation, in which case a majority of the current Members of the Committee could decide to approve any of these investigative steps. However, Gowdy would have to allow these motions to be placed on the Committee’s official agenda for Members to debate — a step he has not allowedin any investigation since he became Chairman.