Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 46th Congressional District
STATEMENT, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2013
MEDIA CONTACT: Barb Solish, 202-226-8373, Barb.Solish@mail.house.gov
REP. SANCHEZ PRAISES SENATE PASSAGE OF NDAA AND PRESIDENT OBAMA’S MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT REVIEW
Garden Grove, Calif. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, Ranking Member of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee and co-founder of the Women in the Military Caucus today praised the Senate passage of the FY14 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill passed with an 85-15 vote and is expected to be signed by President Obama. Rep. Sanchez also commended the President for setting a deadline for the military to make significant progress on stopping sexual assault.
“I am glad the Senate passed this year’s annual defense bill that includes my Track it to Prevent it Act, which holds commanders accountable for their unit’s climate and strengthens their ability to prevent and respond to sexual assaults. It requires that sexual harassment complaints be permanently noted on a service member’s record and that any new commander review that history. This prevents a perpetrator from running away from accusations and empowers commanders to prevent assault. The Act will also evaluate the efficacy of the office that currently handles harassment issues.
“This year’s NDAA also includes my provisions to increase oversight of spending to prevent waste. I look forward to the President’s signature.
“I am also heartened to hear that President Obama has asked the military to report back in one year with a review of its work to prevent and respond to sexual assaults. Every year Congress asks for this report and I am pleased that the President is increasing the pressure and shining a spotlight on the problem.
“As co-founder of the Women in the Military Caucus, I have been part of the long fight to address this issue. In 2006 we were able to reform the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to include a meaningful sexual assault statute, in 2009 we requested a Sexual Assault Database and every year Congress has asked for a review of the military’s handling of the issue. The unprecedented reforms in this year’s NDAA and the President’s request are important steps forward in this ongoing effort, but it is by no means the end of the road. We will continue to persevere to protect our servicemen and women from these deplorable crimes.”
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Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is proud to represent California’s 46th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Santa Ana, and parts of the cities of Garden Grove and Orange in Orange County. She serves as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces and the second ranked Democrat on the Committee on Homeland Security. Rep. Sanchez is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee.