Results for Sexual Assault in the Military

National Guard officials testified on prosecuting sexual misconduct within the branch before a House Armed Services subcommittee. They answered questions about the process for investigating claims and how to improve accountability.

Kathleen Hicks, deputy defense secretary, hold a news conference on sexual assault and harassment in the military. She outlined a plan to implement recommendations from the Independent Review Commission's investigation on sexual assaults in the military.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Mark Milley testified on the department's fiscal year 2022 budget request before the Senate Armed Services Committee. The two witnesses answer questions on a number of topics, including the Afghanistan withdrawal plan, threats from China, Russian and Iranian aggression, and the national defense strategy. Secretary Austin also spoke about the steps he was taking to address sexual assault in the military, saying he planned to send recommendations to President Biden by the end of the month on how the military should be handling the issue.

He addressed several topics during the discussion, including diversity and racism in the military, COVID-19 and vaccination mandates, Air Force modernization, threats from China, and sexual assault in the military.

The Center for a New American Security hosted a virtual discussion about the findings of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military. The panelists, who were commission members and sexual assault experts, spoke about the commission's recommendations to prevent sexual assault and harassment as well as ways to improve the military's culture around reporting and responding to these incidents.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) asked unanimous consent for the Senate to take up a bill that would make changes to the military justice system by removing the chain of command from serious crimes, including sexual assault. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) objected to the request, saying debate on the legislation should continue in committee before being considered by the full Senate.

The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing titled, "The Findings and Recommendations of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military." President Biden ordered the 90-day commission review upon taking office. In the first panel, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks testified on sexual assault and the recommendation to remove investigation and prosecution of cases from the military chain of command. Lawmakers pressed the secretary on what the implementation would look like and a potential timeline. Members on the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military testified in the second panel on their findings and ib recommendation to remove prosecution from the chain of command.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki held a briefing on the Biden administration's policy agenda. A variety of topics were discussed including the supply chain, troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, vaccine hesitancy, sexual assault in the military, defunding the police, and voting rights. Joining the press secretary was White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, who addressed the June jobs report, calling it "strong and encouraging."

This program looks at the June jobs report, Independence Day holiday travel and coronavirus concerns, the U.S. leaving a key base in Afghanistan, and a Pentagon report on handling sexual assault in the military.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Mark Milley testified before the House Armed Services Committee on the department's fiscal year 2022 budget request. In his opening remarks, Secretary Austin said he had received the final report by the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military and would present his recommendations to President Biden in the coming days. On the commission findings, Secretary Austin said, "I fully support removing the prosecution of sexual assaults and related crimes from the military chain of command." Other topics addressed in the hearing included the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, military strategy toward China, cybersecurity, nuclear deterrence, and addressing extremism in the military.

Mark Milley testified on the department's fiscal year 2022 budget before the Senate Appropriations Committee. They answered a range of questions on combating cyber attacks, modernizing the military, readiness, and global threats from China, Russia and Iran. Secretary Austin and General Milley also addressed internal department issues, such as sexual assault in the military, diversity in the department, and the work of military doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and others spoke with reporters about the Vanessa Guillen Act, a bill which would change the military investigates sexual assault and harassment allegations.

This program included a look at President Joe Biden's trip to the G7 Summit in Cornwall, UK. Nahal Toosi discussed the G7 Summit, Gwynn Guilford discussed the U.S. economy, and Jennifer Steinhauer talked about the military and sexual assault.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Mark Mille testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense on the Defense Department's fiscal year 2022 budget request. The witnesses answered questions on a variety of topics, including military modernization efforts, competition from Russia and China, security concerns in the Western Hemisphere, border security, modernizing the nuclear triad, and legacy systems. They also addressed efforts in the military to combat sexual assault and domestic extremism.

Senators Gillibrand, Grassley, Ernst, Blumenthal, Reed, Inhofe, and others give speeches on a military sexual assault bill

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for Christine Wormuth to serve as the next Army secretary. ... Wormuth previously worked in the Obama administration as the Defense under secretary for policy. Throughout the hearing, lawmakers asked the nominee about Army modernization priorities, cybersecurity of weapons systems, sexual assault prevention, military housing issues and President Biden's decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. If confirmed by the Senate, Ms. Wormuth would be the first female Army secretary.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Mark Milley held a joint briefing at the Pentagon. Before taking questions, the two gave a brief update on the first 100 days of the department in the Biden administration, focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic response, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, domestic terrorism, and setting up an Independent Review Commission to address issues including sexual assault cases in the military.

Current and former government officials assessed President Biden's first 100 days in a virtual conversation with the Aspen Institute. Topics discussed included the coronavirus pandemic response, new policy in Afghanistan, military sexual assault, and relations with China and Russia.

The first panel comprised members of the Disabled American Veterans organization, who answered questions about on topics including veterans' involvement in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, COVID-19 vaccine distribution and hesitancy, the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI), treatment for health issues related to chemical exposure during military service, and veteran suicide prevention. Various veteran advocacy groups participated in the second panel, including those representing blind veterans, veteran officers, student veterans, minority veterans and homeless veterans. They addressed issues such as ocular damage during service, the importance of the G.I. Bill, sexual assault and harassment, and the importance of vaccinating veterans.

Sexual assault victims and victims' advocates testified on the need for Congress to address prevention and handling of such cases in the military. The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel convened the hearing and was considering various proposals, including making changes to the military justice system, to address how assault* cases are prosecuted.