For very good reasons, the testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has captivated the nation—and the world—as she speaks on the assault committed against her by Brett Kavanaugh. But there’s another hearing going on in Washington on Thursday that’s getting much less attention, but covers some of the same issues.
As Politico reports, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Mel Watt has been accused of repeated sexual harassment by agency employee Simone Grimes. It’s not a case of assault, as with Kavanaugh. Grimes has reported that Watt made repeated sexual advances toward her, including making statements to indicate that her advancement and salary depended on their relationship. Both Grimes and Watt will appear on Thursday before a meeting of the House Financial Services Committee.
There are numerous differences in the two cases. For one thing, Grimes claims Watt’s advances happened in 2016. For another thing, the 73-year-old Watt is a former Democratic congressman who was appointed to his position by President Obama. Also different—Grimes says she has recordings that prove over 17 instances of harassment by Watt.
As Bloomberg reports, despite what appears to be a wealth of evidence, congressmen on both sides “have been reluctant” to talk about Watt. They still look on him as a former colleague, and his position within the FHFA gives Watt an important role in regulating the mortgage market. The Republican chairman of Finance committee, Jeb Hensarling, has stated that this issue “hits close to home.”
By which Hensarling means holding congressmen and other Capitol Hill officials responsible for maintaining an equitable workplace free from harassment, and divorced from the idea that their positions allow them to extract “favors” from their staff. It’s not just about sexual misconduct, it’s about abuse of power—which is a singularly uncomfortable combination for a group of powerful men.
It’s happening out of the limelight, and without much attention from the media either earlier or on the day of the event, but in a lot of ways, the Watt–Grimes hearing will do as much to show whether Congress is serious about allegations of sexual misconduct as the more famous hearing at the other side of the Capitol Building.
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