Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) members Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) led 58 House and Senate Democrats demanding accountability for the Army’s failure to stop widespread sexual misconduct.
More than 80 women have recently come forward in a lawsuit alleging that Dr. Major Blaine McGraw made sexual advances toward, directed lewd comments at, and secretly recorded patients during medical exams while working at Fort Hood and Tripler Army Medical Center. Dr. McGraw did not face any disciplinary action until this October, when he was suspended from his position.
In their letter, the lawmakers condemned the Army’s longstanding inaction despite multiple reports from servicewomen and military wives describing abuse at the hands of Dr. McGraw. The letter also outlines specific examples of the unconscionable abuses survivors faced during treatment, including the story of Jane Doe.
“After reportedly being assaulted during a patient visit with Dr. McGraw, Jane Doe said she begged a desk attendant to make a report. Instead, she was told to ‘call or send an email.’ Jane Doe alleges she called the hospital seven different times but she was dismissed and hung up on each time. The purported lack of response and urgency to respond to these complaints would clearly violate reporting policy and the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program protocols,” the lawmakers wrote.
In their letter, the House members and Senators also expressed broader concerns that the Army’s inaction represents a consistent failure to respond to sexual misconduct.
“In the lawsuit, female servicemembers and patients noted that a recurring issue was the lack of adequate response from Army leadership. Reportedly, when victims and their loved ones tried to make complaints with Army leadership, they were ‘refused meetings at every level.’ If true, these women deserve better. The alleged dismissive response from the Army demonstrates an immense failure at every level to properly support survivors,” the lawmakers continued.
The letter concluded with the Members and Senators demanding a full investigation, explanations on how complaints were handled, and stronger protections to ensure no woman faces this abuse again.
“The allegations against Dr. McGraw are extremely serious, and the Army’s criminal investigation of this matter must continue unabated. That said, the separate concerns raised by survivors about members of the Army at many levels not timely acting on their complaints must be confronted immediately. Additionally, we request that DoD IG investigate to determine whether personnel within the Army properly followed procedures to timely report allegations of sexual misconduct to law enforcement and whether other SAPR procedures and existing protections were followed or not,” the lawmakers concluded.
Members and Senators expressed their outrage at the Army’s blatant failure:
“The rise in physician sexual misconduct across the country has now permeated the U.S. military, leaving women servicemembers and the wives of servicemembers vulnerable,” said DWC member Lori Trahan (MA-03). “The allegations against Dr. McGraw are horrific, and the Army’s delayed response is unacceptable. These women deserve to know that when they report abuse, they will be protected, believed, and taken seriously. We’re demanding answers because accountability cannot wait and the safety of those who serve our nation and their families cannot be compromised.”
“What happened at Fort Hood and Tripler Army Medical Center is a profound betrayal of the women who trust the military with their care. For years, Dr. Blaine McGraw preyed on patients while leadership ignored warnings and allowed the abuse to continue. Survivors also begged for help and were met with silence, skepticism, or dismissal. That is not just a moral failure but a procedural one. No woman serving our country should ever fear being violated by those responsible for her safety. Our letter demands accountability and the reforms needed to make sure this never happens again,” said DWC Servicewomen, Women Veterans and Military Task Force Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06).
“Reports of the Army’s failure to respond to sexual misconduct allegations and the many pleas raised by military women are appalling. The allegations in this case point to a deeply troubling breakdown in accountability and oversight. Sexual misconduct must never be tolerated, regardless of rank or position. Military servicewomen are essential to our armed forces, and they deserve to be heard, protected, and taken seriously. I am proud to co-lead this letter to demand answers, prevent future misconduct, and bring accountability and transparency for survivors who have been ignored for far too long,” said DWC member Sylvia Garcia (TX-39).
“No woman should feel unsafe receiving medical care, especially during sensitive and private health services. Yet, far too many survivors have come forward with their experiences of exploitation and alleged abuse by a doctor who reportedly violated not just the basic principles of medical care and human decency, but also the expected conduct of a U.S. Army officer and physician,” said Senator Mazie Hirono (HI). “The Department of Defense and U.S. Army must take accountability for its failure to rapidly respond to servicemembers and patient complaints. While nothing can reverse the harm reported by patients, a comprehensive investigation into this alleged misconduct, resulting in stronger protections for patients, is necessary to ensure that no one experiences abuse by our military health system again.”
Read the full letter HERE.
In addition to letter leads Lori Trahan, Mazie Hirono, Chrissy Houlahan, Jill Tokuda, Nanette Barragán, Veronica Escobar, and Sylvia Garcia, the letter was signed by Angela D. Alsobrooks, Joyce Beatty, Julia Brownley, Nikki Budzinski, André Carson, Judy Chu, Maxine Dexter, Debbie Dingell, Sarah Elfreth, Lizzie Fletcher, Valerie Foushee, Lois Frankel, Laura Friedman, Robert Garcia, Kirsten Gillibrand, Adelita Grijalva, Val Hoyle, Jonathan Jackson, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Julie Johnson, Timothy Kennedy, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Lucy McBath, Sarah McBride, Betty McCollum, James McGovern, LaMonica McIver, Gwen Moore, Kelly Morrison, Seth Moulton, Eleanor Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nancy Pelosi, Nellie Pou, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Deborah Ross, Andrea Salinas, Janice Schakowsky, Jeanne Shaheen, Lateefah Simon, Melanie Stansbury, Rashida Tlaib, Norma Torres, Chris Van Hollen, Elizabeth Warren, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Nikema Williams, Frederica Wilson, and Ron Wyden.
In October, Trahan introduced the Protect Patients from Healthcare Abuse Act, legislation that establishes clear, nationwide standards to protect patients during sensitive medical examinations and procedures. The bill follows outreach from survivors of similar physician sexual misconduct, including recent allegations involving Massachusetts doctor Derrick Todd Oregon physician David Farley.
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