Republican Senator John Kennedy makes Biden's Labor Secretary pick squirm by grilling her about sexual harassment and 'creepy men' at the FDIC

The acting Department of Labor secretary was visibly uncomfortable as a GOP senator pressed her on the rampant sexual harassment and lewd behavior at a federal insurance firm.   

After a bombshell report exposed that 'creepy men' at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) had been sending pictures of their genitalia to female subordinates in addition to other sexual and racist misconduct, the agency's Chair Martin Gruenberg apologized to staff on Tuesday. 

On Thursday, Acting Labor Department Sec. Julie Su was pressed on the workplace misconduct during a hearing where, at times, she appeared uncomfortable talking about the extent of the sexual harassment.

'One young woman said: 'My supervisor continuously sends me text messages with photographs of his penis,'' Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., stated during the hearing. 'Is that a labor violation?'

Su paused before answering sheepishly, 'I mean, it's horrible.'

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., pressed acting Labor Sec. Julie Su on a report which found widespread sexual misconduct at the FDIC. Su, who was smiling and jovial in her answers to other lawmakers, quickly was taken aback by the questions on sexual harassment

Acting Labor Sec. Julie Su told Kennedy that though she had not read the report that many of the complaints detailed within it were unacceptable workplace behavior, though she did not claim they were labor violations 

'Have you read the recent outside report, 234 pages, about he creepy old men at the FDIC,' Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., asked Su. 

'I have not seen that, senator,' she responded. 

Out of the over 5,000 workers at the FDIC over 500, close to 10 percent, filed complaints over toxic workplace allegations, Kennedy said during the hearing. 

The report notes scores of sexual misconduct claims and paints a picture of a corporate gentleman's club 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 I'm an American.' Is that a labor violation?'

Su responded: 'I think, senator, everything that you're saying is not acceptable in the workplace.'

During the back and forth Su seemed taken aback by the line of questioning by Kennedy. 

Earlier in the hearing, she appeared smiling and eager to answer questions posed by the Senate panel. 

Once Kennedy began quizzing her on the reports findings, however, her smile quickly faded. 

'One young woman said 'my supervisor sent me a text message saying, 'get naked b----.' Is that a labor violation?'

'I think it's unacceptable workplace behavior, certainly,' Su responded. 

Lauren Lemmer (left) quit in 2013 over claims she had been repeatedly harassed and denied advancement opportunities, Kelsi Foutz (right) quit in 2022 after senior male colleagues reportedly 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 indicating an agency rife with harassment and misconduct.

It found racial discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying were commonplace at all levels and that leadership tolerated it. 

The report also found that complaints about the misconduct were met with retaliation against those who dared to speak up. 

Surprisingly, the report did not suggest changing leadership. 

It did, however, suggest that major changes need to occur at the agency, including the appointment of leaders to help change the firm's culture.  

'What are you going to do about the FDIC? How are you going to protect those employees,' Kennedy pressed Su.

'They definitely deserve protection,' she answered, before adding 'The sexual harassment claims that you were talking about fall under a different federal agency.'

Hundreds of women detailed instances of toxic workplace behavior in the now-infamous report on the FDIC

She claimed the complaints would fall under the purview of the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC), a federal agency created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

'It doesn't sound to me like you're planning on doing anything to help these young female employees,' Kennedy said.

'Now that you've brought to my attention, I'm happy to make sure that the EEOC is aware that there is a case like this,' Su said.