Senators seek clarity after reports of possible SAPR service cuts
U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressing serious concern about potential changes to the Department of Defense’s sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR) services.
Recent reports suggest that new guidance from the Pentagon may significantly alter or even terminate SAPR programs. In their letter, Gillibrand and Murkowski warned that dismantling or weakening these services would undermine decades of bipartisan efforts to end sexual misconduct within the military.
“There can be no ambiguity in the Department’s position on ending sexual misconduct across the services, and any lack of clarity risks casting a chilling effect across the services,” the senators wrote.
Longstanding efforts to reform military justice
Senators Gillibrand and Murkowski have been key leaders in military justice reform. In 2022, Gillibrand secured a major legislative victory by removing judicial and prosecutorial decisions for serious crimes, including sexual assault, from the chain of command. These reforms, included in the FY2023 defense bill, were supported by leading veterans and advocacy organizations.
During his confirmation hearings, Secretary Hegseth affirmed that the Department must “train and ingrain the fact that sexual abuse and assault is not tolerated in the force.” The senators called on him to uphold that commitment by publicly affirming support for SAPR services.
Urging swift action to protect victims
The letter emphasized the urgent need for clear leadership to reassure servicemembers that sexual misconduct will not be tolerated and that victims will be supported.
“Even minor reductions risk compromising decades of progress toward ending sexual abuse and harassment in the Department,” the senators wrote. They requested immediate public assurances that SAPR programs will remain intact.
The full letter was also sent to senior Department of Defense officials overseeing personnel and readiness, as well as the secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
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