Portland Press Herald: Senate version of Pingree military sexual assault bill introduced
Rep. Chellie Pingree’s legislation easing hurdles to disability benefits for veterans who have suffered sexual assault during their military service now has a Senate companion bill.
Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, this week introduced a virtually identical bill, according to Pingree’s office.
“Senator Tester is good friend to veterans and he understands that victims of military sexual assault haven’t been getting a fair shake and it’s time to change the way we treat them,” said Pingree, D-1st.
Pingree has said that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs recently has changed its policy to accomplish much of what the Maine Democrat wanted in a bill Pingree introduced in March. But the lawmaker thinks her bill is still needed to put the force of law behind the VA’s new stance.
