Congressman John Carter (TX-31) released the following statement after the House passed the FY19 Defense Appropriations bill, which included Carter’s language to help set a standard to prosecute juvenile-on-juvenile sexual assault cases that occur on military installations.

“For far too long, juvenile-on-juvenile sexual crimes that have occurred on military installations have gone unprosecuted. As a judge for 20 years, I tried hundreds of juvenile sexual assault cases, and these young victims deserve justice. It is our responsibility to protect children, and this language directs the Secretary of Defense and Department of Justice to explore creating memorandums of understanding with local jurisdictions, so there is a standard in place to ensure the guilty parties are appropriately dealt with to avoid repeat offenders and more victims.”

Additional highlights of the FY19 Defense Appropriations Bill:

• $674.6 billion for Department of Defense, increase of $17.1 billion above fiscal year 2018
• Fully funds a 2.6% pay raise for the military
• $1.5 billion for the upgrade of 135 Abrams tanks
• $34.4 billion for the Defense Health Program to provide care for our troops, military families and retirees

Rep. Carter represents Texas District 31, which includes Fort Hood, the largest active duty armored military installation in the free world. He serves as co-chairman of the Congressional Army Caucus and Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Appropriations.

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