Sylvia R. Garcia | wikipedia
Sylvia R. Garcia | wikipedia
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29) applauds the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for launching a review of the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program.
Congresswoman Garcia, along with colleagues in the House of Representatives and the Senate, wrote in a letter to the GAO on May 2nd, 2023, requesting that the agency conduct a comprehensive review of the program’s oversight. This is due to an onslaught of disturbing reports of sexual misconduct by JROTC instructors. The investigation into the JROTC program’s failure to protect students from sexual misconduct was opened in September of this year, and legislative efforts have continued since then.
"This letter and investigation is an important first step for the future of our military. Sexual abuse, harassment, and misconduct of any kind should never be tolerated. There is still much work to be done to end the exploitative practices and predatory instructors in the JROTC. I am looking forward to the work ahead and doing everything we can to protect our young people,” said Congresswoman Garcia.
This letter is an additional JROTC sexual assault prevention effort championed by Congresswoman Garcia. The Shielding America’s Youth from Exploitation (SAYFE) Act H.R.2711, introduced by Congresswoman Garcia this Congress would establish an annual sexual harassment and abuse awareness training for students participating in JROTC Efforts such as this are one more step towards safety for all future military members.
Link to GAO announcing investigation here
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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She is the Vice Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, the Vice Chair on Housing and Transportation of the House Democratic Caucus Poverty Task Force, and a member of the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.
Original source can be found here.
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