During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd protests, news broke of the tragic murder of U.S. Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen, sparking media uproar and political activism as to how her death could’ve been kept quiet for so long.
In a bipartisan response, lawmakers moved quickly to investigate the death, and now Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) has provided a statement regarding the findings that have been published.
In his statement, the Texas lawmaker admitted that he’s “deeply troubled by the findings published today about the command climate at Ft. Hood and the issues surrounding the atrocious killing of Spc. Vanessa Guillen,” adding that “the Army owed this investigation to her family and all those who mourn her death, and I’m encouraged that the Army is prepared to implement meaningful change at Ft. Hood and across the entire service.”
I’m deeply troubled by the findings published today about the command climate at Ft. Hood and the issues surrounding the atrocious killing of Spc. Vanessa Guillen. pic.twitter.com/NUHnYNepI9
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) December 8, 2020
Cruz asserted that “the problem of sexual assault. And harassment in our military is far too often pervasive in our armed forces, which is why I’ve long supported the bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act.”
He also ensured that his goal in the Senate was “to ensure we uphold our solemn obligation to protect the young women and men of our armed forces from sexual violence.”
Texas Democrats also shared their opinions on the matter with Texas Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D) said that "there is a widespread culture at Fort Hood, and the Army, that has enabled sexual harassment and assault."
1/ The Fort Hood Independent Review Committee’s report about Fort Hood’s culture and command structure confirms what we already knew.
There is a widespread culture at Fort Hood, and the Army, that has enabled sexual harassment and assault.
cc: @HASCDemocrats @HASCRepublicans
— Rep. Sylvia Garcia (@RepSylviaGarcia) December 8, 2020
Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro (D) echoed Rep. Garcia's response, expressing that the Army's "report is a grave reminder of the toxic culture that enabled a pattern of sexual harassment and violence," which tragically included the murder of Vanessa Guillen.
