Jackie Walorski: “Sexual assault in the military is maiming our troops. These aren't my words. They are the words of General Raymond…”

“Sexual assault in the military is maiming our troops. These aren't my words. They are the words of General Raymond Odierno, the Chief of Staff of the Army. He likened military sexual assault to other serious threats that our troops face downrange. The threat of sexual assault in the military is real. The wounds it inflicts on our servicemembers are also just as real. I introduced H.R. 1864 with my colleague and tireless advocate Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. The bill on the floor today is the product of a lot of time and hard work. I remember sitting in the House Armed Services Committee hearing and becoming shocked as I learned firsthand about the widespread abuse at Lackland Air Force base. I remember thinking that our brave servicemembers deserve so much better and that those in charge deserve to be held accountable. After that hearing, I went to work. The bill we are debating today is a true bipartisan and bicameral reform that gets to the heart of this issue. It does so by addressing the challenges of sexual assault underreporting that has become too common in the military. The Pentagon estimates that there were approximately 26,000 victims of sexual assault last year. However, only roughly 3,600 victims actually filed reports. Many individuals don't come forward because they don't have confidence in the military justice system.…”