Roy Blunt: “The fact that this is in the bill and further improved, I believe, by the amendment, clearly says we are going to change…”

“The fact that this is in the bill and further improved, I believe, by the amendment, clearly says we are going to change the culture of the military. Had it not been for the hard work of my colleagues, particularly Senator McCaskill and Senator Gillibrand, this bill would not be as far along as it is. Their difference of opinion is not about solving this problem, because we all believe this problem is going to be solved. I think we all believe this bill takes a significant and strong step toward doing that. I feel most Senators will believe the McCaskill amendment adds another element to the bill. I am glad the defense committee, the Armed Services Committee, and now the U.S. Senate, are taking additional steps to solve this problem. It is a tragedy for every individual in the military, man or woman, who has been the victim of a sexual assault, reported or not. Whatever we can do to see that they are reported, minimized, and finally ended is what ought to happen. I hope this bill does that, and I believe it does. I was pleased to be part of bringing this bill to the floor, and I will be pleased when the McCaskill amendment is added to it today, and we face a new view of how this issue is dealt with. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Murphy). The Senator from Missouri. Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr.…”