Safe Kits

Floor Speech

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Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Speaker, on March 13, the Department of Defense issued new guidance: Military health clinics overseas would no longer provide rape test kits to American civilian workers and contractors serving alongside our servicemembers abroad. These are our intelligence analysts, our teachers, our doctors, and our support staff performing critical roles all in support of our national security. We broke a fundamental promise with them, that when you serve your country in the most dangerous of places, your country will have your back.

I have spent my time on this House floor urging for the reversal of harmful cuts just like these, and I spend my time in committee questioning Secretary Hegseth as to why this policy was ever changed in the first place. Today, I am glad to report that 8 days after the hearing with Secretary Hegseth, that policy has been reversed.

It is proof that when the general public leans in and engages their government, and when Members of Congress amplify their voices, we can make meaningful change.

I will continue to call out the cuts of this Trump administration because the cost to all of us is far too great. There is too much at risk when this administration blindly takes a sledgehammer to the Federal Government and the services Americans deserve.

I urge my colleagues to follow this example.

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