Mullin Supports FY22 NDAA, Including Provisions to Overhaul Military's Response to Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault

Statement

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) released the following statement after the House passed the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. Mullin voted for the legislation.

"The men and women of our armed forces put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and it is our responsibility to keep our commitment to them," Mullin said. "I was proud to support this legislation that provides the resources necessary to remain the strongest military in the world without the provisions previously included that did not have our military's best interests in mind. Senator Inhofe also ensured many Oklahoma priorities were included and I applaud his tireless work on this bill."

Additionally, the final version of the NDAA contains provisions from Mullin's legislation, the I Am Vanessa Guillén Act, that change how the military handles cases of sexual harassment and sexual assault. The bill makes sexual harassment a crime within the Uniform Code of Military Justice and moves prosecution decisions of sexual assault and sexual harassment cases out of the chain of command.

"The issue of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military isn't a Democrat or Republican issue -- it's an American issue," Mullin continued. "I have fought for this change in honor of the late SPC Vanessa Guillén, who was sexually harassed and brutally murdered. We must strengthen the military's ability to protect its most important resource, which is the people who willingly sign-up to protect all Americans. This is about protecting our men and women in uniform so no family has to go through what the Guillén family has gone through."

Source