[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 125 (Tuesday, July 22, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H3549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               SAFE KITS

  (Ms. ELFRETH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Speaker, on March 13, the Department of Defense 
issued new guidance: Military health clinics overseas would no longer 
provide rape test kits to American civilian workers and contractors 
serving alongside our servicemembers abroad. These are our intelligence 
analysts, our teachers, our doctors, and our support staff performing 
critical roles all in support of our national security. We broke a 
fundamental promise with them, that when you serve your country in the 
most dangerous of places, your country will have your back.
  I have spent my time on this House floor urging for the reversal of 
harmful cuts just like these, and I spend my time in committee 
questioning Secretary Hegseth as to why this policy was ever changed in 
the first place. Today, I am glad to report that 8 days after the 
hearing with Secretary Hegseth, that policy has been reversed.
  It is proof that when the general public leans in and engages their 
government, and when Members of Congress amplify their voices, we can 
make meaningful change.
  I will continue to call out the cuts of this Trump administration 
because the cost to all of us is far too great. There is too much at 
risk when this administration blindly takes a sledgehammer to the 
Federal Government and the services Americans deserve.
  I urge my colleagues to follow this example.

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