In the News
FORT HOOD, Texas (KTRK) -- The murder of Fort Hood soldier and Houston native Vanessa Guillen was at the center of Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy's visit Thursday, with him noting her death has "served as a tipping point where survivors spoke out on social media and shared their own trauma."
McCarthy spoke at Fort Hood to talk about how the Army has handled recent events involving soldiers at the post, including Guillen, who allegedly told family members she was sexually harassed, but didn't report it out of fear of retaliation. The attorney for Guillen's family, Natalie Khawam, said she discovered at least two alleged incidents of sexual harassment -- a superior walking in on Guillen showering and another verbally assaulting her with vulgar remarks in Spanish. Khawam said she was worried about how the case might turn out.
Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy spoke from Fort Hood Thursday after a day of meetings with civilians and soldiers across all ranks. McCarthy's visit comes in the wake of 20-year-old Vanessa Guillen's death which launched a nationwide movement to protect victims of sexual assault and harassment in the military.
"The murder of SPC Guillen has become a catalyst highlighting sexual harassment and sexual assault within the military," McCarthy said. "The loss of Vanessa has been felt in our formations, particularly here and across the nation."
One year ago today, 23 people were killed at a Walmart in El Paso. People throughout Texas and beyond are remembering the lives lost and forever changed in the deadliest attack on the Latinx community.
The man from Allen, Texas, who has been charged in the attack said he bought the weapon, an AK-47, from Romania. He is facing dozens of state and federal charges. Texas does not have a ban on AK-47 rifles.
Remembering and Grieving
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus wrote a tribute on Twitter.
One year ago today, 23 people were killed at a Walmart in El Paso. People throughout Texas and beyond are remembering the lives lost and forever changed in the deadliest attack on the Latinx community.
The man from Allen, Texas, who has been charged in the attack said he bought the weapon, an AK-47, from Romania. He is facing dozens of state and federal charges. Texas does not have a ban on AK-47 rifles.
Remembering and Grieving
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus wrote a tribute on Twitter.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTRK) -- Texas Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia provided an update Friday on the push for new legislation in the aftermath of Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen's murder.
Garcia went into detail on the bill that was proposed this week by Congresswoman Speier in its first hearing with the House Armed Services Subcommittee.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTRK) -- Texas Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia provided an update Friday on the push for new legislation in the aftermath of Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen's murder.
Garcia went into detail on the bill that was proposed this week by Congresswoman Speier in its first hearing with the House Armed Services Subcommittee.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia is optimistic about the passing of the proposed #IAmVanessaGuillen Bill, which would give more power to local authorities in missing soldiers cases and would change the process of how soldiers would report sexual harassment and assault cases on post.
The representative from Texas' 29th District is confident in the bill after a Congressional hearing for the Guillen case happened Wednesday.
"I think that the bill will move, and I think that it'll be a lasting legacy of Vanessa Guillen," Garcia said. "We look forward to continuing to work on this bill and hopefully passing it very, very soon."
WASHINGTON D.C., DC — The fight for Justice for Vanessa Guillén continues. Houston Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia held a press conference from Washington to recap everything that happened this week in relation to Guillén's case.
Garcia has been working closely with the Guillén family since Vanessa went missing in April. From their meeting with President Donald Trump, to a march at the National Mall, Garcia said her goal is to ensure the Guillén family gets the answers and justice they seek.
(KWTX) - During a virtual press conference with the media Friday, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia recapped the week in the nation's capital and legislation surrounding Vanessa Guillen.
Garcia, who represents the 29th congressional district in Texas, talked about the legislation targeting the allegations of sexual harassment and assault within the military.
"It is a comprehensive reform package addressing sexual harassment in the Department of Defense and all of our military services," she said.
The #IAmVanessaGuillen bill, which has been backed by Guillen's family and started by their attorney Natalie Khawam, would also provide an independent avenue for service members to report their claims of sexual harassment and assault.
A bill has yet to be filed, Garcia said.
President Donald Trump met with the family of Spc. Vanessa Guillen and its lawyer, Natalie Khawam, in the Oval Office on Thursday.
Khawam and the family filled him in on the background of the death of the Fort Hood soldier and subsequent investigation that has made headlines nationwide.
"It's an incredible story. It's a terrible story," Trump said to the family in the Oval Office. "So we're going to look into it very powerfully. We already have started, as you know, and we'll get to the bottom of it. Maybe things can come out that will help other people in a situation like Vanessa. We'll be in touch with you constantly."
Trump told the family that the FBI and the Department of Justice have already gotten involved in the investigation.
"We didn't want to have this swept under the rug, which could happen," the president said.