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Rep. Sylvia Garcia to Join Rep. Jackie Speier and Rep. Markwayne Mullin in Introducing Bipartisan I Am Vanessa Guillén Act to Transform the Military’s Response to Sexual Violence and Missing Servicemembers

September 14, 2020

Media Contact: Robert Julien (DC): Email: Robert.julien@mail.house.gov; Cell: 202-227-0330

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, September 16th, Reps. Jackie Speier (D-CA), Chair of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, Markwayne Mullin(R-OK), Sylvia Garcia(D-TX), John Carter(R-TX), Veronica Escobar(D-TX), Pete Olson(R-TX), Jason Crow(D-CO), and Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr.(D-CA) will introduce the bipartisan I Am Vanessa Guillén Act in honor of the late SPC Vanessa Guillén and survivors of military sexual violence who have bravely come forward in the wake of her disappearance and brutal murder. They will be joined at a press conference by the Guillén family and their attorney. The bill responds to resounding calls for change by revolutionizing the military's response to missing service members and reports of sexual harassment and sexual assault by making sexual harassment a crime within the Uniform Code of Military Justice and moving prosecution decisions of sexual assault and sexual harassment cases out of the chain of command.

NOTE: Social distancing requirements are in effect on the Capitol grounds. Press is advised to keep 6-feet of space between cameras and one another.

Who:

  • Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14), MILPERS Chair
  • Congressman Markwayne Mullin (R-OK)
  • Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX)
  • Congressman John Carter (R-TX)
  • Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-TX)
  • Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX)
  • Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO)
  • Congressman Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA)
  • Members of the Guillén family
  • Natalie Khawam, Attorney for The Guillén family

What: Introduction of the I Am Vanessa Guillén Act

When: Wednesday, September 16 at Noon ET

Where: The House Triangle, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.

Livestream: https://www.facebook.com/JackieSpeier

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary and Financial Services Committees.