Murkowski, colleagues lead bipartisan push to support survivors of military sexual trauma

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and in honor of that, Senator Lisa Murkowski joined Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) 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.

Too often, many instances of MST go unreported during military service. The bill would require the 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.

“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.”

“Survivors of military sexual trauma have endured unimaginable pain and deserve the highest quality care and services,” said Ranking Senator 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.”

“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said Congresswoman Pingree, who said the bill will directly confronts these systemic failures while modernizing outdated evidentiary standards to recognize all trauma responses, and expanding critical access to MST-related health care regardless of discharge status. “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 the VA, and given the option to receive copies of any of their records related to MST. This builds off Senator Blumenthal’s work during the 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 the 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 Murkowski and Blumenthal 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 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."

This legislation is also endorsed by the Disabled American Veterans, Wounded Warriors Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Protect Our Defenders, and Vietnam Veterans of America.