House women veterans caucus wants action on Vanessa Guillen murder, sexual misconduct reforms - Elaine for Congress

House women veterans caucus wants action on Vanessa Guillen murder, sexual misconduct reforms

The House women veterans caucus is demanding congressional hearings into the killing of Fort Hood soldier Spc. Vanessa Guillen and broader inquiries into solutions to the military’s problem of sexual assault.

“For too long, sexual assault has been a shameful and unacceptable part of our military. As former service members, we have experienced and witnessed sexual harassment in our own careers and know firsthand that it is past time for serious change,” the women wrote in a letter to the leadership of both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees late Wednesday.

They are calling for the military oversight committees to schedule hearings.

“Our military members face countless threats when they choose to support and defend our country, including dangerous missions all over the world. And while this may be part of the job, threats, mistreatment, and sexual assault at the hands of fellow service members are not.”

The signees — Reps. Elaine Luria of Virginia, Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Tusli Gabbard of Hawaii, all Democrats — said they are “deeply disturbed” by the lack of urgency displayed by military officials in Guillen’s case thus far, and want Congress to use public hearings to shine a light on that and other problems in the ranks.

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