Ann Wagner: “I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana for yielding and for her leadership on this particular issue, and for the wonderful…”

“I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana for yielding and for her leadership on this particular issue, and for the wonderful bipartisan support that we've all shown here today. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this legislation that would create a safe reporting environment for military sexual assault victims and would demand accountability from our military leaders. As a mother with a son currently serving in the 101st Airborne, I know all too well the many hardships and sacrifices that our military men and women face while protecting our country. Every precious moment I have to be able to call or Skype with my son, I am constantly reminded of all of the things that are on his and every other soldier's mind as they are keeping our country safe so that the rest of us can have peace of mind back here at home. Every servicemember from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard bears such a heavy burden to which we all owe our utmost gratitude, and it infuriates me to think that for many of these young men and women, the situation of sexual assault is one of the things they must deal with as they are preparing themselves to face the enemy. So it is with incredible sadness and frustration that I come before you all today to speak on the increasing incidence of sexual assault in our military and how very few of those cases end up being reported.…”