Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) is sponsoring the military sexual assault reform plan that is gaining steam in Congress and at the Pentagon. The bill removes such complaints from the chain of command.
Turner, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, has been opposed to similar legislation in the past.
“Despite an increased focus on combating sexual assault in our military, this remains a serious issue in our ranks that we have the responsibility to address, and this legislation would take a pivotal step in the long fight for military justice reform,” Turner said in a press release, which also outlines some of the changes over previous versions of the bill.
Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said last week they have enough Senate votes to pass the bill. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley recently said he supports the reform, a change from his longtime position. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has not yet taken a position on the issue.
Army photo by Sgt. Sean Harding
