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Rubio, Cornyn Introduce Protecting Our Servicemembers Through Proven Methods Act

Jun 10, 2022 | Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Protecting our Servicemembers through Proven Methods Act of 2022. The legislation would improve sexual assault and domestic violence prevention policies in the Department of Defense (DoD).  
 
“Our servicemembers put their lives on the line when they choose to join the military, and they should never experience sexual assault or domestic violence as a result of that choice,” Rubio said. “This bill will help address and prevent these abuses within our military.” 
 
“America’s servicemembers have answered the call to defend this nation and we must ensure they too are protected,” Cornyn said. “This legislation would improve the policies and procedures to keep our brave men and women in uniform safe and root out some of the causes of sexual assault and domestic violence in the military.”  
 
Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) are also original cosponsors. 
 
Specifically, the Protecting our Servicemembers through Proven Methods Act of 2022 would: 

  • Require the Secretary of Defense to collect data on the causes of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and domestic violence in the military as part of the DoD’s annual primary prevention research agenda;  
  • Direct DoD to enter into data sharing partnerships relating to the above with—  
    • public health institutions, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and
    • civilian institutions that conduct similar data-driven studies, collection, and analysis. 
  • Require a GAO report comparing the sexual harassment and prevention training and domestic violence prevention programs of the Department of Defense with similar programs at other Federal departments and agencies.