Blumenthal, Murkowski, Pingree Lead Bipartisan Push to Support Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) are teaming up to introduce bipartisan, bicameral legislation to improve military sexual trauma (MST) survivors’ access to health care and benefits, as well as bolster MST claims processing.

The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 would eliminate bureaucratic hurdles for MST survivors who apply for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure they receive access to the benefits and care they have earned. Given how many instances of MST go unreported during service, the bill would require VA to consider non-Department of Defense evidence sources when reviewing MST claims and would expand this standard to all mental health conditions related to MST. The bill would also ensure all former Guard and Reserve members can receive MST-related care and counseling from VA.

“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.”

“I’ve heard from countless veterans whose profound harm is compounded by a system that repeatedly fails them. Their stories reveal a dual injustice—first from experiencing devastating abuse, and then again when navigating a claims process ill-equipped to support survivors. This goes far beyond administrative shortcomings at the VA; it’s a fundamental breach of our moral and constitutional duty to those who served,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “Our bipartisan, bicameral Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act directly confronts these systemic failures. It modernizes outdated evidentiary standards to recognize all trauma responses, expands critical access to MST-related health care regardless of discharge status, and establishes rigorous oversight to ensure genuine accountability. When our institutions fail and re-traumatize those who sacrificed in service to our country, we violate a sacred commitment. Veterans deserve better, and it’s our responsibility to deliver.”

Among its many priorities, this legislation would ensure individuals who leave service academies early are told about their potential eligibility for MST-related care and counseling at VA, and given the option to receive copies of any of their records related to MST. This builds off Blumenthal’s work last Congress as Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations on Operation Fouled Anchor and the U.S. Coast Guard’s efforts to conceal the investigation into mishandled cases of sexual assault and harassment at the Coast Guard Academy.

The legislation also addresses issues uncovered by the VA Office of Inspector General in 2021 by requiring VA to process all MST claims via specially trained teams, conduct annual accuracy reviews for MST claims, and study the quality of Veterans Benefits Administration training on MST claims processing.

The lawmakers’ efforts to improve MST survivors’ care and benefits has strong backing from stakeholders and Veterans Service Organizations.

“MOAA is grateful to Senators Blumenthal and Murkowski for reintroducing the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support (SAVES) Act,” said Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, USAF (Ret). “This important legislation aims to strengthen the coordination of benefits and health care services, benefiting not only those impacted by military sexual trauma (MST) but all veterans seeking VA support. MOAA remains committed to working with Congress and the VA to ensure passage and effective implementation of this bill.”

“The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act makes critical and overdue changes to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ disability compensation and claims process for survivors of military sexual trauma, a cause Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) has championed for years,” said Service Women’s Action Network’s Chief Executive Officer Elisa Cardnell. “By broadening access for military sexual trauma survivors in the veterans’ healthcare system, this act acknowledges and addresses that MST survivors often feel vulnerable and forgotten; it is our nation's responsibility to support these victims and provide the highest level of care during and after their service to our country. Service Women's Action Network wholeheartedly endorses this legislation.”

“VA offers benefits and health care to veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), but survivors often encounter barriers in accessing these necessary services,” said Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Chief Policy Officer Heather Ansley. “The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support (SAVES) Act would improve the claims process, codify evidentiary support, and increase access to mental health care for MST survivors. PVA strongly supports the SAVES Act and thanks Senator Blumenthal and Senator Murkowski for reintroducing this legislation.”

“The VFW supports the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025, that would assess gaps in health care and compensation eligibility related to military sexual trauma (MST),” said Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Legislative Service Associate Director Nancy Springer. “The adverse effects of MST can remain with service members well after their time in service. This comprehensive bill would ensure they receive dignified care and appropriate compensation as they rejoin the civilian world. We thank Senators Blumenthal and Murkowski for their bipartisan leadership on this issue and look forward to the passage of this bill into law."

“The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act is about doing right by the men and women who’ve sacrificed for this country,” said Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Chief Executive Officer Allison Jaslow. “For too long, survivors of military sexual trauma have faced a VA system that fails them—after the military has already failed them. IAVA is grateful for the leadership of Senator Blumenthal (D-CT) and Senator Murkowski (R-AK) in standing up for these veterans. Now, it’s time for Congress to step up, do the right thing, and pass this bill—because our veterans have waited long enough.”

“For too long, military sexual trauma (MST) survivors have faced significant hurdles in accessing the VA care and benefits they have rightfully earned,” said Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Legislative Service Director Joy Ilem. “The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 offers a pathway to justice by ensuring their claims are handled with the care, sensitivity and expertise required to address this issue accurately and appropriately. DAV proudly supports this crucial legislation and the dignity it restores to those who have served, and we appreciate Sens. Blumenthal and Murkowski for incorporating the voices of MST survivors in crafting this important legislation.”

“Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is an experience that can have a complex and long-lasting impact on a veteran’s life,” said Wounded Warrior Project Chief Program Officer Jennifer Silva. “As our community continues to find ways to support MST survivors, the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act recognizes that more can be done to expand access to care, improve the benefits claims process, and ultimately make the system work better for them. Wounded Warrior Project is proud to support this effort and we are grateful to Senators Blumenthal (D-CT) and Murkowski (R-AK) for their leadership on this issue.”

This legislation is also endorsed by the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Protect Our Defenders, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

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