Guthrie Votes to Support and Fund U.S. Troops While Reforming DoD Policies on Combating Sexual Assault

Press Release

Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) voted in support of H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016, which provides necessary authorization and funding for the U.S. military.

"The threats to our homeland are serious and are coming from multiple fronts," said Congressman Guthrie. "H.R. 1735 will prepare our troops for whatever challenges they face, including reforms needed to strengthen efficiencies at home and effectiveness abroad, while also improving the care we provide for our men and women in uniform."

This year's NDAA continues the fight to better protect our troops from sexual assault by expanding sexual assault prevention training to ROTC and Junior ROTC programs, and providing access to Special Victims Counsel for civilian victims of sexual assault. H.R. 1735 will also require the Department of Defense (DoD) to develop a strategy to deal with retaliation against individuals who intervene on behalf of a victim.

H.R. 1735 will also address the backlog of families waiting to take advantage of military childcare by directing the DoD to cut the backlog in half before the end of FY2017.

"H.R. 1735 ensures that we are able to recruit and retain the best and brightest servicemen and women we can, and provide them with the resources they need to continue to be the best fighting force in the world -- all while making reforms to protect and care for them and their families," added Congressman Guthrie.

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