WASHINGTON, DC – Monday, December 8, Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), DWC Servicewomen, Women Veterans and Military Task Force Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), DWC Progressive Caucus Liaison Jill Tokuda (HI-02), and DWC members Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) led 58 members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, House Democrats, and Democratic Senators in a letter to the Department of Defense Inspector General demanding accountability for the Army’s failure to stop widespread sexual misconduct. 

Recently, over 80 women joined a lawsuit alleging that Dr. Major Blaine McGraw made sexual advances, directed lewd comments towards them, and secretly recorded patients during exams while working at Ford Hood and Tripler Army Medical Center. Dr. McGraw was not suspended from his position until this October.

In their letter, the Members and Senators expressed their outrage over Army leadership’s inaction despite numerous complaints from servicewomen and military wives that Dr. McGraw had sexually exploited women in his care for years. They also explained some of the unconscionable abuses women experienced, including details from the story of Jane Doe.

In their letter, the Members and Senators shared how the Army ignored Jane Doe’s attempts to report her abuse:

“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 Members and Senators also expressed deep concern in their letter that this abuse is part of a recurring pattern of the Army failing to intervene in cases of 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 Members and Senators concluded the letter by 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.”

Letter Lead Members and Senators expressed their outrage at the Army’s blatant failure:

“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 (D-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.”

“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.”

“Servicemembers and their families make extraordinary sacrifices to keep our country safe. Yet the U.S. Army failed to protect them when they were at their most vulnerable,” said DWC Progressive Caucus Liaison Jill Tokuda (HI-02). “I am disgusted by the allegations against Dr. McGraw and sickened that the Army’s delayed response enabled further harm to these women, who will now carry lasting trauma and emotional scars. The repeated dismissal of complaints is an appalling breach of duty, which is why we are demanding accountability, meaningful reform, and assurance that this will never happen again.”

Read the full letter here.

In addition to letter leads Mazie Hirono, Chrissy Houlahan, Jill Tokuda, Nanette Barragán, Lori Trahan, 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.