Elfreth Highlights Reversal of Harmful DoD Rape Kit Policy
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, spoke on the House floor to highlight the reversal of a harmful DoD policy that prevented overseas military health units from providing rape evidence collection kits to American civilian workers.
"I've spent my time on the House floor urging for the reversal of harmful cuts just like these, and I spent my time in Committee questioning Secretary Hegseth as to why this policy was ever changed in the first place," said Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth. "But today I'm glad to report that eight days after the hearing with Secretary Hegseth, that policy was reversed. It's proof that when the general public leans in and engages their government – and when Members of Congress amplify their voices – we can make meaningful change."
On March 13, 2025, the Department of Defense issued new guidance forcing military health clinics overseas to stop providing rape evidence collection kits to civilian workers and contractors serving alongside servicemembers abroad. On June 12th, 2025, Elfreth questioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Sexual Assault Prevention and Response during the Committee Hearing on the Department of Defense's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request. On June 20th, 2025, the DoD issued a new memo rescinding the previous memo and policy.
Nearly 35,000 civilian employees support servicemembers stationed overseas, and DoD-issued rape evidence collection kits are crucial if a victim wants to build a legal argument, as foreign kits may be easier to discredit in court.
CLICK HERE or the image below to view Elfreth's full remarks.
Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth
Remarks as Delivered
Floor Speech
July 22nd, 2025
Madame Speaker,
On March 13th, the Department of Defense issued new guidance: military health clinics overseas would no longer provide rape test kits to American civilian workers and contractors serving alongside our servicemembers abroad.
These are our intelligence analysts, our teachers, our doctors, our support staff performing critical roles all in support of our national security.
And we broke a fundamental promise with them, that when you serve your country in the most dangerous of places, your country will have your back.
I've spent my time on the House floor urging for the reversal of harmful cuts just like these, and I spent my time in Committee questioning Secretary Hegseth as to why this policy was ever changed in the first place.
But today, I'm glad to report that eight days after the hearing with Secretary Hegseth, that policy has been reversed.
It's proof that when the general public leans in and engages their government – and when Members of Congress amplify their voices – we can make meaningful change.
I will continue to call out the cuts of the Trump Administration because the cost to all of us is far too great. There is too much at risk when this Administration blindly takes a sledgehammer to the federal government and the services that Americans deserve.
I urge my colleagues to follow this example, and I yield back.
###