Ernst Works to Kick ‘Creeps’ Out of the Federal Workplace, Including FDIC

WASHINGTON— After the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC ) failed to answer her oversight questions on time, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is following up on her promise for accountability by introducing legislation to ensure federal employees and contractors who are found guilty of sexual misconduct face serious consequences for their actions, including termination.

“Sexual assault has no place in our society, let alone the government. I’m exposing this misconduct, kicking these creeps out of our federal workplace, and putting an end to this egregious behavior,” said Senator Joni Ernst. “This follows my promise of accountability for the bureaucrats who turned the FDIC into a frat house by making sure federal employees who committed sexual misconduct—working on the taxpayer’s dime—face appropriate consequences.”

The Compulsory Requirement to Eliminate Employees Who Are Perpetrators of Sexual Assault (CREEPS) Act:

• Terminates employees convicted of sexual assault while working for the federal government,
• Prohibits an employee of a federal agency or contractor from receiving a raise, bonus, or promotion for five years after they are convicted by a court or found guilty by an administrative board of committing sexual misconduct,
• Ensures the individual is given an opportunity for a hearing first, and
• Requires federal government contractors to mirror this policy.

Background:

Ernst has fought to address and combat sexual violence, like creating a law to improve reporting and data collection methods on incidents occurring in the military and the federal government. Last year, her Violence Against Women Act was also signed into law.

After reports of sexual harassment and discrimination at the FDIC, Ernst was one of the first senators to call for FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg’s resignation. In November, she followed up by conducting critical oversightof this behavior at the FDIC and demanding any evidence of criminal wrongdoing by agency employees be turned over to the Department of Justice and local law enforcement for potential prosecution. The deadline for answers was December 13, 2023, and the Ernst office has not heard from the FDIC.

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