[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8173]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULTS

  (Mr. COFFMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, the United States military is the most 
capable and most professional fighting force in history. But while our 
military is adept at meeting external threats, it has had a more 
difficult time combatting the epidemic of sexual assault and sexual 
misconduct in its ranks.
  Earlier today, the Armed Services Committee passed this year's 
defense bill. I am proud to have supported provisions that will help us 
tackle the problem of sexual assault in the military by holding 
perpetrators accountable, protecting victims, and maintaining good 
order and discipline. I'm particularly pleased that Representative 
Speier and I were able to add whistleblower protection enhancements.
  Our men and women in uniform must be able to depend on one another 
and trust their command will protect them from sexual predators. These 
crimes inflict lasting damage on individuals and compromise the 
effectiveness of our military. I am committed to solving this terrible 
problem once and for all.

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