Reckoning Action, an advocacy group founded by social media creator Cheyenne Hunt, has launched a campaign to confront misogyny and gender bias in U.S. politics and to push for stronger accountability for members of Congress.
The organization grew out of the wave of allegations that led to California Representative Eric Swalwell’s resignation and withdrawal from a gubernatorial campaign five weeks earlier. CBS News’ reporting — including interviews with several women who came forward — helped spur the effort. Hunt, who helped connect some of those women with reporters, says the group’s work responds to how many survivors are treated when they go public: their stories become subject to intense scrutiny, and they often lack legal and financial support.
Reckoning Action’s plan has three main strands: raise money for legal assistance and counseling for people who step forward; press for new rules and enforcement mechanisms in Congress to address harassment and abuses of power; and create safer conditions for reporting, so survivors aren’t punished or discredited for speaking out. Proposals under discussion include measures to make it easier to remove or sanction members who harass staff — even proposals as far-reaching as modifying retirement or benefit rules to increase consequences for serious misconduct.
Hunt and a number of women who first sounded the alarm are working with female lawmakers from both parties to draft potential rule changes and legislation. The group emphasizes that support is needed not just before a disclosure but after it, because many survivors face professional and personal fallout.
Nancy Cordes reported on the effort for CBS News, which first spoke on camera with some of Swalwell’s accusers. For additional conversation with Hunt and more details about Reckoning Action’s strategy, CBS Mornings has extended coverage and a longer interview available online.