The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 (S. 1245) would:

• Eliminate hurdles for survivors who apply for disability benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).
• Ensure survivors receive access to the benefits and care they need.
• Require the VA to consider non-Department of Defense evidence sources when reviewing MST claims.
• Expand the standard of treatment to all mental health conditions related to MST.
• Ensure all former Guard and Reserve members receive MST-related care and counseling from the VA.

In a 2022 report on MST, only about 1 in 4 service members reported their sexual assault to a Department authority. 66% of women believe the military will not protect their privacy and 60% believe the military will not ensure their safety according to the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Therefore, these service members are left with nowhere to go.

“Survivors of military sexual trauma have endured unimaginable pain and deserve the highest quality care and services,” said Ranking Member Blumenthal. “They should have clear access to every tool needed to heal from their trauma. Our bipartisan bill will afford survivors a stronger voice in filing claims and expand VA treatment.”

“We owe everything to the men and women who serve our country, especially to those servicemembers who were let down in the most unimaginable way. Survivors of military sexual trauma need access to resources to help them begin to heal, and this legislation ensures access to those benefits,” said Senator Murkowski. “Addressing the broader culture of sexual misconduct in our military deserves greater attention, but it starts when those who have endured this violence are able to get the help they need.”

Please use our pre-drafted letters to urge your senators to support the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 (S.1245). If they have already sponsored or co-sponsored the bill, you can send a message of thanks.