NY1: Gillibrand, Carlson partner to rein in NDAs in sexual harassment cases

The #MeToo movement is one step closer to potentially another victory on Capitol Hill in just a matter of months. Last week, the Senate Judiciary advanced bipartisan legislation taking aim at non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that prevent the victims of sexual harassment and assault from speaking out publicly.

Called the Speak Out Act, the legislation aims to prohibit the use of NDAs to prevent workers from sharing their stories. It would apply to NDAs signed before a dispute, according to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s office.

“If they are harassed or assaulted, they should have a right to say, ‘That person assaulted me, that person harassed me,’ just to change the climate of their workplace,” the New York Democrat said in an interview. 

The proposal has bipartisan backing, with supporters in both chambers.

Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson is also urging lawmakers to pass the legislation. Carlson, who accused former Fox News Chief Roger Ailes of sexual harassment, said she signed an NDA when she started at the cable network.