Newsletter: November 2022
Dear Friend,
Earlier this afternoon, the Speak Out Act that we championed was passed into law after a bipartisan vote of 315-109 in the House of Representatives. The legislation, which unanimously passed the Senate in September, prohibits the use of predispute nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in cases of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.
Along with the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in March 2022, the Speak Out Act is landmark #MeToo legislation that makes the American workplace safer for survivors.
BOTH PASSED WITH STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
The Speak Out Act is another milestone in our efforts to make workplaces safer. It is an enormous step forward in ending the culture of silence that has prevented survivors and witnesses of workplace abuse from sharing their stories and it will go a long way toward ending the culture of toxicity that permeates too many workplaces.
Here’s what our bipartisan co-sponsors had to say about the bill:
“The Speak Out Act will change the culture of the workplace making it healthier and more productive,” said Congresswoman Lois Frankel. “Today, one-in-three workers is subjected to NDAs that hide sexual misconduct in order to protect a business’s reputation. By making predispute NDAs null and void as they pertain to sexual abuse we’re taking the gag off of survivors and pushing businesses to create safer work environments. We’re proud of the bipartisan support the Speak Out Act received in both chambers and look forward to President Biden signing this critical bill into law.”
“Today, the House voted to strengthen workplace protections and guard against the use of predispute NDAs in sexual harassment and sexual assault cases, which are often used to coerce silence,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “Earlier this year, we voided forced arbitration agreements for sexual assault and sexual harassment, and the Speak Out Act is the important next step in our mission to reform our workplaces for the better. I urge President Biden to sign this bill into law expeditiously so we can fix this broken system and help end the days of institutional protection for perpetrators.”
“Today’s passage of the Speak Out Act in the House of Representatives marks another critical step in protecting survivors of sexual assault or sexual abuse in the workplace who are too often silenced by predispute NDAs,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn. “I thank Gretchen Carlson, Julie Roginsky, and Lift Our Voices for their work to help get this legislation across the finish line and to President Biden’s desk.”
After facing sexual assault or harassment, no American should find that they unknowingly signed their rights away,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “Today, I was proud to help send bipartisan legislation to President Biden that will free survivors from silencing nondisclosure agreements. With this bill and my recently-signed law to end forced arbitration for victims of sexual assault and harassment, survivors in America are regaining critical rights.”
We are grateful and excited to see this legislation make its way to the President’s desk – and as always, we are thankful for your support. As we continue to take on other mechanisms that enable toxic workplace cultures, we are glad to have you in this fight with us.
Sincerely,
— Gretchen Carlson & Julie Roginsky | Co-founders, Lift Our Voices