[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 28, 2014)] [House] [Page H4861] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] COUNSELING AND TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL TRAUMA OCCURRING DURING INACTIVE DUTY TRAINING Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2527) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide veterans with counseling and treatment for sexual trauma that occurred during inactive duty training. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 2527 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. COUNSELING AND TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL TRAUMA OCCURRING DURING INACTIVE DUTY FOR TRAINING. Section 1720D of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``active duty or active duty for training'' and inserting ``active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training''; and (2) in subsection (f)-- (A) by striking ``this section, the'' and inserting the following: ``this section: ``(1) The''; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(2) The term `veteran', with respect to inactive duty training described in subsection (a)(1), also includes an individual who-- ``(A) is not otherwise eligible for the benefits of this chapter; and ``(B) while serving in the reserve components of the Armed Forces, performed such inactive duty training but did not serve on active duty.''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida. General Leave Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 2527. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Florida? There was no objection. Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 2527 would extend VA's program of counseling, care, and services for veterans who experience sexual trauma during inactive duty training. Those servicemembers and veterans who experience sexual violence during military service, regardless of where or when such violence is inflicted, should have access to the counseling, care, and treatment they need to recover. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 2527, and I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 2527, the National Guard Military Sexual Trauma Parity Act. Mr. Speaker, I want to first thank Mr. Benishek, the chairman of the Health Subcommittee; Ms. Brownley, the ranking member of the Health Subcommittee; and especially Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Michaud for working with me on this very important issue. The bill before you is bipartisan legislation which addresses an unacceptable gap in the current law that effectively leaves some victims of military sexual assault without the support and treatment they need. Members of the National Guard and other reserve components of our armed services have fought bravely for our country, many completing multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since the attacks on September 11, more than 50,000 guardsmen and guardswomen have been called to service, both at home and abroad. We recognize the value of the National Guard and other reserve components, and thank them for their service. Unfortunately, some, like members of the other Armed Forces, are victimized by sexual assault while on Active Duty. If that happens, they are provided all the VA resources and services they need to recover and heal, both physically and emotionally. Such benefits, however, are not offered to members of the National Guard and other reserve components who experience sexual assault while on inactive training missions. Members of the Guard are required to participate in training missions one weekend a month and 2 weeks a year, but benefits and services, such as counseling and Medicare, do not extend to victims sexually assaulted during these mandatory training missions. This omission is simply unacceptable and leaves so many who have served our country without any assistance or support during a devastating time. The National Guard Military Sexual Trauma Parity Act would fix this problem and clarify that all victims of sexual trauma in the National Guard or other reserve components have access to the care they need, whether they are on Active Duty or on a required training mission. We must make it a priority to change the culture of the military and put an end to acts of sexual trauma within our armed services. Until we do, however, we must be sure that we provide all victims the treatment they need and deserve. I am proud that many veterans service organizations support this important legislation to ensure that all Guard members who are ``always ready, always there'' to protect our country receive the same support in return from their government. So, Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. {time} 1745 Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, so I will reserve the balance of my time. Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I would just conclude my remarks and urge all my colleagues to support this legislation and, again, thank the chairman for working with me to bring it to the floor. We want to send it to the Senate and urge them to pass it quickly and on to the President for his signature. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 2527, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2527. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________