Defense

The United States is witnessing the unprecedented emergence of global adversaries. The constant military and technological threats posed by countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea raise the need for robust funding and resources dedicated to the defense and national security of our country. This is why Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia advocates for legislation that provides service members with the resources, funding, and advanced equipment they need to effectively confront and overcome these threats. 

At the same time, the Congresswoman tirelessly advocates for initiatives that demand accountability from the Armed Forces for the care they provide to service members while on duty. She spearheaded a demand for Congressional oversight of the Armed Forces and accountability from the U.S. Army following the tragic killing of U.S. Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén, a constituent of the Congresswoman’s district (TX-29) who experienced sexual harassment and was murdered by a fellow service member while serving at Fort Hood, TX. A report published by the U.S. Army Secretary after Specialist Guillén’s death highlighted negligence within the Army’s chain of command, leading to ignored reports of sexual and physical abuse. The report also found that service members feared reporting sexual abuse to avoid retaliation from their superiors. 

The Congresswoman’s efforts and calls for reforms that protect service members led to the introduction of the I Am Vanessa Guillén Act in September 2020. This bill moved prosecution decisions on sexual assault and sexual harassment cases outside of the chain of command to an independent Office of the Chief Prosecutor. This transformative and comprehensive bill became law after being included as an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2022. It provides our soldiers with an avenue to report sexual abuse and harassment without fear of retaliation from their superiors, thereby giving them a chance to protect themselves from abuse. 

Below is additional legislation that the Congresswoman has worked on to ensure sufficient defense funding, as well as care for our service members: 

• Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia introduced and cosponsored Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA amendments, including: 

  • Fiscal Year 2024: 

    • Sponsored an amendment that directed the Department of Defense to provide sexual assault and abuse training within the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC).  

    • Sponsored an amendment that created the Military Crime Victims Financial Assistance Fund, which provided up to $50,000 to compensate victims of violent offenses within the Armed Forces. 

    • Sponsored an amendment that directed the Secretary of Defense to create a pilot program that provides qualified domestic violence victims with assistance in seeking refuge from an abuser. 

    • Sponsored an amendment that developed and included a gender analysis training in the International Education and Training Programs (IETP) at military schools and trainings. 

    • Cosponsored an amendment to prohibit discrimination in the military and guarantees service eligibility without consideration of an applicant’s gender. 

    • Cosponsored an amendment to promote diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in the Department of Defense. 

For more information on the Congresswoman’s work to advocate for our service members, please contact our office.