Inspector General Investigations of Allegations of Retaliatory Personnel Actions Taken in Response to Making Protected Communications Regarding Sexual Assault

Floor Speech

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Ms. KUSTER. Thank you, Representative Walorski and Representative Sanchez, for your friendship and for your leadership on this issue.

Today, I am proud to join my colleagues in passing this bill to strengthen whistleblower protections for those who report sexual assaults in the military. This legislation will help ensure that sexual trauma survivors and others who step forward do not face reprisal for reporting these terrible crimes.

I am especially proud that, of the 110 bipartisan cosponsors of this important reform, nearly 50 are members of the freshman class. I know that these new Representatives are committed to working across the aisle in making commonsense reforms and getting things done for the American people. This important legislation proves that Congress can work together to do the right thing for the American people, and what better issue is there to partner on than in strengthening protections for the men and women of our Armed Forces. This critical reform is a great step forward in further protecting our heroes in uniform who take the extra heroic step of coming forward to blow the whistle on military sexual crimes.

It has been an honor to work with you all to help build support for this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1864 and to continue to work together to end sexual violence in the military.

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