WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, released a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) report outlining the agency’s ongoing efforts to address sexual harassment, workplace misconduct and systemic management failures.
Kennedy had previously withheld his support for Acting FDIC Chair Travis Hill’s nomination until the agency demonstrated meaningful action to confront its toxic culture. Following the release of the report, Kennedy said he was satisfied with the FDIC’s progress and intends to vote to confirm Hill as chairman.
“Attached is the FDIC report I requested about sexual harassment and workplace misconduct at the agency. I am satisfied with the progress the agency is making. I intend to vote to confirm Mr. Travis Hill as FDIC Chairman. This is no country for creepy old men,” Kennedy said.
The FDIC’s Report on Cultural Transformation outlines measures to strengthen accountability, promote transparency and rebuild a respectful workplace environment.
Acting FDIC Chair Travis Hill said in the report that significant reforms are underway to address longstanding problems.
“The Cleary Report found that, for far too many employees and for far too long, the FDIC failed to provide a workplace safe from sexual harassment, discrimination and other interpersonal misconduct. For the past two years, it has been a priority of mine to reverse these problems and reestablish a strong workplace culture at the FDIC,” Hill said.
According to the FDIC report, 26 employees connected to verified misconduct are no longer with the agency, and a broader workforce realignment has reduced the agency’s headcount by more than 1,300 positions. The report suggests that these changes reflect growing accountability and indicate that some employees may have left in response to heightened oversight and enforcement measures.
Kennedy has repeatedly pressed the FDIC for greater transparency and accountability. In July 2024, he questioned FDIC Chair nominee Christy Goldsmith Romero about the findings of the Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP report on harassment within the agency. Earlier that year, Kennedy called on then-President Joe Biden to remove FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg and urged Gruenberg to apologize to employees for the misconduct reported under his leadership.