WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today applauding the bipartisan passage of the “Victims Protection Act” (S.1917) to address military sexual assault:

“I’m pleased the Senate passed this important provision, and I applaud Senator McCaskill’s continued leadership on this critical issue,” said Blunt, who serves on both the defense appropriations and authorizing committees.

The bipartisan bill, which was introduced by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (Mo.), provides for additional enhancements to sexual assault prevention and response activities in the Armed Forces by building upon critical reforms that were included in the FY14 National Defense Authorization Act.

In May 2013, Blunt signed on as an original co-sponsor of McCaskill’s “Better Enforcement for Sexual Assault Free Environments” (BE SAFE) Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at combatting sexual assaults in the military by better holding perpetrators accountable and protecting victims.