Kirsten Gillibrand

This is the beginning of a much longer conversation, a conversation that we need to have not just as a committee in the Senate, but as a Nation.

I am grateful that many members of the armed services who are currently in command sat here for your testimony.

What you all are doing today allows us to focus on the mission to get the coward rapists out of the ranks, and we are going to do everything we can to make that happen.

It is now Congress' duty to pass legislation, so servicemembers can receive justice that is fair, impartial, and finally addresses the military's epidemic of sexual assault.

What we need is a military with a fair and impartial criminal justice system, one that is run by professional and legal experts, not unit commanders.

We need to take a close look at the military justice system and we need to be asking the hard questions...

It is high time not only for this hearing but for changes in the way the military handles these cases.

What is it going to take to convince the military that sexual assault is a violent and vicious crime and that those who perpetuate it are capable of other violent crimes, including murder?

One very integral piece to this kind of unfortunate puzzle is really the legalized sex discrimination, which still exists in the military.

We need to do something on the front end to prevent sexual assault from happening at all.

Lets not allow sexual predators in uniform the opportunity to become highly-trained, highly-degreed, military-decorated sexual predators.

I will do everything I can within reason to make sure that that stops and that if you are accused of an offense in the military, you still get a fair trial.

Lets make sure they are convicted and dishonorably discharged and listed on the national registry.

Just think of what an amazing legacy it will be for this Senate if we succeed.

It is time for us to take swift decisive steps to ensure that decisions in the military justice system do not rest solely in the hands of one individual.

I want to thank Senator McCaskill, who has introduced legislation to do just that. That is the first step and only the first step.

Lets deal with this from the roots.

An independent prosecutor would have made a world of difference.

I am extremely disturbed, based on the last round of question and answer, that each of you believes that the convening authority is what maintains discipline and order within your ranks.

If you were able to have reported your case of sexual assault and rape to a prosecutor directly, how do you think it would have changed how your case was handled?

If we have more convictions and justice is served, that will signal change within the military.

Senators, do not let today's servicemembers become another generation of invisible survivors.

The military, most of all, wants this to go away, and we have to end this terrible tragedy of sexual assault.

That is a terrible reporting rate.

This new provision ensures servicemembers who exceed the 5-year statute of limitations receive the same protections under the law.