U.S. Representatives Don Bacon and Salud Carbajal announced on Mar. 18 the reintroduction of bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding benefits for veterans who experienced sexual trauma during their military service.
The proposed Moral Injury Recognition and Restitution Act would allow veterans who suffered sexual trauma while serving to receive retroactive disability benefits, starting from the day after their discharge rather than the date they filed a claim. This change is intended to address delays in filing claims that often result from stigma and underreporting among survivors.
“One sexual assault in the military is one too many. Sexual assault in the military leaves behind a wake of trauma, anxiety, and depression,” said Bacon. “As Wing Commander at Ramstein, I established the best sexual assault prevention program in the Air Force because I recognize the importance of keeping our service members safe from this kind of violence. For those service members who do, tragically, experience sexual assault, we should ensure that they receive payment for treatments to help them recover. Changing the effective date from when veterans receive payments is the right thing to do.” Carbajal said, “Sexual assault in our military is a grave injustice, and it is long past time for the VA to expand benefits for those who carried this trauma back home. The Moral Injury Recognition and Restitution Act was inspired by a Central Coast veteran who faced the same inexcusable hurdles that far too many survivors encounter when seeking help from the VA. I’m proud to join my friend and fellow veteran, Congressman Bacon, in introducing this bill to close the gaps in our system and finally deliver the justice our veterans deserve.”
Currently, most Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits are calculated based on when a claim is filed rather than when an injury occurred. According to reports cited by Bacon’s office, there has been a historical trend of stigma and underreporting among survivors of military sexual trauma—defined as unwanted contact or advances—which can lead veterans to wait years before seeking help.
The VA estimates that one in three female veterans and one in fifty male veterans have experienced some form of sexual trauma during their service. In other cases involving exposure to Agent Orange or toxic chemicals, retroactive benefits have been granted by the VA; however, no such provision exists for claims related specifically to sexual trauma.
Bacon has served Nebraska’s 2nd district since 2017 according to official records. He was born in Momence, Illinois in 1963 and currently lives in Papillion as reported by Omaha.com. Bacon graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1984 and also attended University of Phoenix according to Ballotpedia.
Both lawmakers are members of the For Country Caucus—a non-partisan group composed of military veterans serving in Congress—and say they are committed to working together across party lines.
