Republican Senator John Kennedy makes Biden’s Labor Secretary pick cringe by criticizing her over sexual harassment and ‘creepy men’ at the FDIC
The acting secretary of labor was visibly uncomfortable when a Republican senator pressed her about rampant sexual harassment and lewd conduct at a federal insurance company.
After a bomb report revealed that “creepy men” at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) had sent photos of their genitals to female subordinates, among other sexual and racial misconduct, the agency’s chairman, Martin Gruenberg, apologized to staff on Tuesday.
On Thursday, acting Labor Department Sec. Julie Su was pressed about workplace misconduct during a hearing, at times appearing uncomfortable talking about the extent of the sexual harassment.
“One young woman said, ‘My supervisor keeps sending me text messages with pictures of his penis,’” Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said during the hearing. “Is that a labor violation?”
Su paused for a moment before sheepishly replying, “I mean, it’s terrible.”
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., pushed for acting Labor Sec. Julie Su on a report finding widespread sexual misconduct at the FDIC. Su, who was smiling and conversational in her responses to other lawmakers, was quickly taken aback by the questions about sexual harassment
Acting Labor Sec. Julie Su told Kennedy that although she had not read the report, many of the complaints detailed therein were unacceptable workplace conduct, although she did not allege they were employment violations.
“Have you read the recent outside report, 234 pages, on the creepy old men at the FDIC,” Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., asked Su.
“I didn’t see that, Senator,” she replied.
Of the more than 5,000 employees at the FDIC, more than 500, nearly 10 percent, filed complaints about allegations of toxic substances in the workplace, Kennedy said during the hearing.
The report details dozens of claims of sexual misconduct and paints a picture of a gentleman’s club in the corporate world, where female employees were regularly subjected to inappropriate behavior and comments.
In addition to allegations of sexual harassment, the report also found instances of racism and more.
Kennedy continued, “Another employee, a Hispanic employee, said, ‘My supervisor required me to recite the Pledge of Allegiance because he said I had to prove that I am an American.’ Is that a labor violation?’
Su replied, “I think, Senator, that anything you say is not acceptable in the workplace.”
During the back and forth, Su seemed surprised by Kennedy’s questioning.
Earlier in the hearing, she appeared smiling and eager to answer questions from the Senate panel.
However, when Kennedy began questioning her about the report’s findings, her smile quickly disappeared.
“One young woman said, ‘My supervisor texted me saying ‘get naked, b—-.’ Is that a labor violation?’
“I certainly think it’s unacceptable behavior in the workplace,” Su replied.
Lauren Lemmer (left) quit in 2013 amid claims she was repeatedly harassed and denied advancement opportunities, Kelsi Foutz (right) quit in 2022 after senior male colleagues allegedly made inappropriate comments
The report, conducted by the law firm Cleary Gottlieb on behalf of the FDIC, was first prompted by a Wall Street Journal report that highlighted an agency rife with harassment and misconduct.
It found that racial discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying were commonplace at all levels and that leadership tolerated this.
The report also found that complaints about the misconduct were met with retaliation against those who dared to speak out.
Surprisingly, the report suggested no change in leadership.
However, it did suggest that major changes need to happen at the agency, including appointing leaders to help change the company’s culture.
“What are you going to do about the FDIC? How are you going to protect those employees,” Kennedy pressed Su.
“They absolutely deserve protection,” she responded, before adding, “The sexual harassment claims you talked about fall under a different federal agency.”
Hundreds of women detailed examples of toxic workplace behavior in the now infamous FDIC report
She alleged that the complaints would fall under the jurisdiction of the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC), a federal agency created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“It doesn’t appear to me that you plan to do anything to help these young female workers,” Kennedy said.
“Now that you have brought this to my attention, I would like to make sure that the EEOC is aware that a case like this exists,” Su said.