CONGRESSWOMAN SYLVIA R. GARCIA ISSUES STATEMENT ON KEY REFORMS TO THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE IN THE NDAA TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29) issued the following statement regarding the reforms to the Uniform Code of Military Justice included in the Senate's version of the National Defense Authorization Act and the search of justice for Spc. Vanessa Guillen:

"The National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 provides the most significant reforms to the Uniform Code of Military Justice in fifty years. This bill will finally answer the call of countless survivors of sexual assault and harassment to provide independent prosecution of these crimes. We got in this fight after the tragic murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, and we have pushed and pushed and pushed and while all provisions were not included in the Senate's agreed version, it is a major step in getting justice for victims and protecting our soldiers," said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. I want to also acknowledge that my colleagues like Chairwomen Jackie Speier and Kirsten Gillibrand have been working hard on this issue since long before I joined them in Congress. The people of the 29th District of Texas are grateful for all of your efforts. I want to thank my colleagues in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, especially Chair Raul Ruiz and Reps. Gallego and Escobar, for their allyship since the tragic death of my constituent. While we did not get every single reform for which we were hoping, together we have made history," concluded the Congresswoman.

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