[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 28, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H4861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COUNSELING AND TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL TRAUMA OCCURRING DURING INACTIVE
DUTY TRAINING
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 2527) to amend title 38, United States Code, to
provide veterans with counseling and treatment for sexual trauma that
occurred during inactive duty training.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2527
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. COUNSELING AND TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL TRAUMA
OCCURRING DURING INACTIVE DUTY FOR TRAINING.
Section 1720D of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``active duty or
active duty for training'' and inserting ``active duty,
active duty for training, or inactive duty training''; and
(2) in subsection (f)--
(A) by striking ``this section, the'' and inserting the
following: ``this section:
``(1) The''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) The term `veteran', with respect to inactive duty
training described in subsection (a)(1), also includes an
individual who--
``(A) is not otherwise eligible for the benefits of this
chapter; and
``(B) while serving in the reserve components of the Armed
Forces, performed such inactive duty training but did not
serve on active duty.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
General Leave
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks on H.R. 2527.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
H.R. 2527 would extend VA's program of counseling, care, and services
for veterans who experience sexual trauma during inactive duty
training.
Those servicemembers and veterans who experience sexual violence
during military service, regardless of where or when such violence is
inflicted, should have access to the counseling, care, and treatment
they need to recover.
I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 2527, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 2527, the National Guard
Military Sexual Trauma Parity Act.
Mr. Speaker, I want to first thank Mr. Benishek, the chairman of the
Health Subcommittee; Ms. Brownley, the ranking member of the Health
Subcommittee; and especially Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Michaud
for working with me on this very important issue.
The bill before you is bipartisan legislation which addresses an
unacceptable gap in the current law that effectively leaves some
victims of military sexual assault without the support and treatment
they need.
Members of the National Guard and other reserve components of our
armed services have fought bravely for our country, many completing
multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since the attacks on
September 11, more than 50,000 guardsmen and guardswomen have been
called to service, both at home and abroad.
We recognize the value of the National Guard and other reserve
components, and thank them for their service. Unfortunately, some, like
members of the other Armed Forces, are victimized by sexual assault
while on Active Duty. If that happens, they are provided all the VA
resources and services they need to recover and heal, both physically
and emotionally.
Such benefits, however, are not offered to members of the National
Guard and other reserve components who experience sexual assault while
on inactive training missions. Members of the Guard are required to
participate in training missions one weekend a month and 2 weeks a
year, but benefits and services, such as counseling and Medicare, do
not extend to victims sexually assaulted during these mandatory
training missions. This omission is simply unacceptable and leaves so
many who have served our country without any assistance or support
during a devastating time.
The National Guard Military Sexual Trauma Parity Act would fix this
problem and clarify that all victims of sexual trauma in the National
Guard or other reserve components have access to the care they need,
whether they are on Active Duty or on a required training mission.
We must make it a priority to change the culture of the military and
put an end to acts of sexual trauma within our armed services. Until we
do, however, we must be sure that we provide all victims the treatment
they need and deserve.
I am proud that many veterans service organizations support this
important legislation to ensure that all Guard members who are ``always
ready, always there'' to protect our country receive the same support
in return from their government.
So, Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1745
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, so
I will reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I would just conclude my remarks and urge all
my colleagues to support this legislation and, again, thank the
chairman for working with me to bring it to the floor. We want to send
it to the Senate and urge them to pass it quickly and on to the
President for his signature.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to
support H.R. 2527, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2527.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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