Ranking Member McEachin Questions Zinke about Hiring Freeze

WASHINGTON – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the House Committee on Natural Resources, questioned Secretary Zinke about the pattern of sexual harassment that plagues federal agencies, such as the National Park Service, at today’s full committee hearing.

“Actions speak louder than words; unfortunately, Secretary Zinke has made no effort to rectify the sexual harassment that is seemingly ingrained in the workplace culture in the agency he oversees,” said Congressman Donald McEachin (VA-04). “Mr. Zinke says he has a ‘zero tolerance policy’ toward sexual harassment, but all I heard were excuses.”

If eliminating sexual harassment were truly a top priority for Zinke, he would have solutions and information to share with our committee. Instead, Mr. Zinke stated that he has been unable to research the issue as he has insufficient staffing, referencing the federal hiring freeze.

“Updating policies, retraining requirements and creating new reporting procedures is a baby step, but not enough. If this issue is as systematic as we have come to fear, we need a more comprehensive long term solution,” said Congressman McEachin.

The inaction of Zinke and the Department of the Interior on the issue of sexual harassment in the National Park Service prompted Congressman McEachin to call for a hearing, which was confirmed today by Subcommittee Chairman Raúl Labrador (ID-01). To begin to eliminate poisonous workplace cultures within federal agencies, Rep. McEachin seeks to provide oversight over the agencies within the committee’s jurisdiction.

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*Photos and video from today’s hearing*

Contact: Jamitress Bowden
(202) 225-6365