Mike Kelly

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, says he has never witnessed sexual harassment in Congress and was shocked at some of the recent allegations.

“I'm disappointed that some of that behavior took place. We will have zero tolerance of it,” said Kelly, who has served in the House of Representatives since 2011.

Kelly was one of 229 co-sponsors of House Resolution 630, which was passed Tuesday.

The resolution states that all representatives and employees of the House will be required to complete a workplace responsibilities program during each two-year session, including anti-discrimination and anti-harassment training.

In an interview Thursday, he said he was surprised to hear that not all House members had been participating in the training. Kelly and each member of his staff have completed the training during each of his four terms.

Kelly said that he was raised to treat people with respect and he is appalled that infidelity and sexual harassment have become so common in society.

“Where I'm from, there were ladies and gentleman, and we treat women like ladies,” he said.

Sexual harassment is not a partisan issue, he said.

“If it's right, it's right and if it's wrong, its wrong,” he said.

Numerous politicians, entertainers and other public figures have been accused of sexual misconduct in recent weeks.

Those accused include Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., and GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama.

Officials are continuing to take steps to address the problem.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said there should be no room for sexual harassment “in any workplace, let alone in the United States Congress.”

Ryan, R-Wis., told reporters recently that having a hostile environment on Capitol Hill is “a disgrace” and added, “We will not tolerate that kind of behavior.”

The House will hold a hearing on taxpayer-funding harassment settlements next week.

Kelly said he plans to co-sponsor House Resolution 4458, which was introduced this week by Rep. Tom Marino, R-10th.

The resolution would amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and “prohibit the use of public funds for the payment of a settlement or award under such Act in connection with a claim arising from sexual harassment committed by a Member of Congress.”

Kelly said he did not realize taxpayer money had been used in harassment settlements.

“When you do something wrong you are responsible.” for it,” he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.