The House of Representatives passed a $638 billion defense bill on Friday that will go after members of the military guilty of performing sex crimes.
The bill calls for anyone in the military found guilty of rape or sexual assault, at the very least, be dismissed from military service-dishonorable discharge is also an option.
The legislation originally included a minimum sentencing of two years in prison, but it is unclear whether or not the current bill's draft contains that particular stipulation.
"Being in a military uniform should not be a get-out-of-jail card," Representative Mike Turner of Ohio told the Associated Press.
Passing the bill is part of a larger movement amongst lawmakers as they try to tackle the growing issue of sexual assault in the military.
According to a study conducted by Veterans Affairs released in May, more than 85,000 vets were treated last year for injuries or illness-physical and mental-due to sexual assault in the military.
Depression and anxiety, both symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, were the most common afflictions that former soldiers faced.
When these shocking figures were publicized, lawmakers realized just how grave the nature of rape in the military could be. They drafted up the bill soon after VA released their findings.
The bill moved through the primarily Republican House with a 315-108 vote. The measure will cover weapons, aircraft, ships and personnel.
Those that oppose the bill have said they will veto the legislation because it bars President Obama from closing the doors at Guantanamo Bay. The proposed law also curbs his authority to remove certain nuclear weapons from the U.S.' cache of warheads.
But now, legislators must smooth out the kinks between this measure and a bill proposed in the Senate that costs $625 billion and will give the POTUS more leeway in his dealing with suspected terrorists.
