Date rape drug allegation roils Texas Legislature; speaker vows to change Capitol culture
Amid a criminal investigation into an allegation that a lobbyist used a date rape drug on a legislative staff member, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan on Monday took steps to make it easier to report incidents of sexual misconduct in and around the Capitol.
"For too long, the culture of the House made victims of harassment feel like they can't or shouldn't come forward," said Phelan, a Beaumont Republican who began his career in the Capitol as a legislative aide before being elected to the House in 2014. He was elected to a first term as speaker in January.
"Victims shouldn't have to decide between their career and coming forward," he added in remarks to open Monday's session. "That has to change to make it easier for individuals to constantly come forward and report harassment.
"We can and we must do better when it comes to changing the culture."
Read more: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/04/26/speaker-phelan-addresses-allegations-date-rape-drug-used-lobbyist/7383791002/
= new reply since forum marked as read
