Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2201, the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act, as amended.

I think we can all agree that no one should ever, ever be subject to sexual violence while serving in the military. It is truly a tragedy that it happens at all, but sadly, it does.

Unfortunately, it occurs to many men and women in our military ranks at a rate likely greater than that of the general public. That means that among some of the best people our country has, there are far too many who have been violated in the most personal of ways.

Far too often, sexual assault in the military is perpetrated by those in positions of power, and far too often, these assaults are swept under the rug by the chain of command with the poor excuse that this is being done to avoid disrupting unit cohesion. This means that the victims of sexual assault are left to serve with and under their assailants, watching them go unpunished for their crimes. This is a double indignity that no one should ever have to suffer.

Sexual trauma is unlike any other trauma. It has the ability to separate someone from their own body. It can make someone feel like they are a stranger in that body. It can make them feel unsafe in their own skin.

The effects of this trauma are heartbreaking and can be lasting. Asking victims of sexual violence to speak about it or provide physical evidence relating to it can be retraumatizing.

Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs requires that personnel managing claims of this type receive training on the subject every 5 years. That seems like a long time between training for such a sensitive subject and a unique type of concern, especially as the study and treatment of these issues evolves rapidly and new best practices are developed and implemented.

When it comes to the treatment of military sexual trauma compensation claims, I think it is worth revisiting training annually to ensure that we are giving these veterans proper care and treatment.

H.R. 2201 is an effort to add a little more care and compassion to the process of disability claims of this nature. We routinely advocate for veterans and their well-being in our committee, and this bill does just that.

By mandating that providers have more frequent and updated training, we can ensure better outcomes for the veteran. It is something we must keep pushing for. Every day, we must work to build a better veterans' experience, and providing training more frequently can help us accomplish that goal.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2201 and to continue to press for better care for veterans.

Mr. Speaker, for the victims of sexual assault out there who may be listening right now, they should know that they are seen and heard. I will continue to push for accountability for those who perpetrated the assaults, and I will push even harder to ensure these veterans get the compassionate care that they have earned and deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Budzinski), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization and my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 2201, the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act of 2025, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2201) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve claims, made under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, regarding military sexual trauma, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 2201, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.R. 2201, as amended. This bill was introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative Young Kim.

This bill would require that VA claims processors and contracted disability compensation examiners undergo annual sensitivity training to prevent retraumatizing survivors of military sexual trauma who are pursuing claims for VA benefits.

The bill would also ensure that VA employees receive better training and obtain all relevant military service records so veterans can receive more accurate decisions on their military sexual trauma claims.

Because military sexual trauma often goes unreported, a veteran's military service records rarely prove that they experienced an MST. This bill would ensure that VA claims processors review and understand the types of evidence that can prove an MST claim.

Further, veterans relive what they suffered through during service when they file a claim based on military sexual trauma. We must ensure that every interaction VA has with them is trauma-informed.

Representative Kim's bill would decrease the risk of retraumatizing veterans who have endured MST. Her bill would also streamline the MST claims process for them so that these veterans can more easily access their disability benefits.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2201, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), the chief sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bost for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 2201, the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act.

Mr. Speaker, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men experience military sexual trauma, or MST, as a servicemember. As many of my colleagues have already stated, a claim based on MST can be difficult to prove because MST often

goes unreported during military service.

Furthermore, evidence indicating that MST occurred is difficult to evaluate, and VA claims processors and examiners do not have sufficient training to recognize indirect evidence of MST. They are also not required to undergo annual sensitivity training to reduce the risk of retraumatizing survivors of MST.

Further, the law requires VA to help veterans filing disability benefits claims based on MST to gather evidence for their claims. However, VA does not always obtain a veteran's complete service personnel and medical records, which can provide crucial evidence to prove an MST claim.

This bipartisan bill works to improve the MST claim process by requiring VA employees working on these cases to complete annual training to better identify evidence and to ensure that veterans are not retraumatized during the examination process.

Additionally, the VA would be required to automatically obtain all service personnel and medical records for veterans filing an MST claim to ensure their cases are processed in an accurate and timely manner.

Streamlining the MST claim process and improving VA training will ensure veterans who endured MST can more easily access their earned benefits and ensure they are treated with compassion during the claims process.

I thank Representatives Nikki Budzinski, Don Bacon, and Chrissy Houlahan for their collaboration on this commonsense, bipartisan measure that provides survivors of MST with the support and protection they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act.

Mr. Speaker, just a few weeks ago, I was speaking in committee to celebrate the bipartisanship of this important legislation and the urgent need to pass it out of the House. Today, we are one step closer to making that a reality.

First, I thank Representative Young Kim for her leadership and collaboration on this bill, and I thank our veterans for their service and bravery.

This bill is needed for so many of those veterans who have endured sexual trauma while in service. When these veterans go to file military sexual trauma claims, navigating the VA system should never add to the pain they have already endured. That is why I introduced this bipartisan legislation to ensure the VA's claims process supports rather than retraumatizes survivors of MST.

Right now, contracted disability compensation examiners are only required to complete outdated online sensitivity training before handling these deeply sensitive claims. This insufficient preparation can make the claims process retraumatizing for those who have already suffered.

MST affects veterans of all genders. While it is more common among women, many male veterans are also impacted. We must ensure that all of our survivors are treated with dignity and care.

The Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act would modernize and strengthen the training required for VA staff and contractors who work on MST claims and help cut through the red tape that too often delays justice and support.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.