Rep. Tsongas presses Ash Carter on military sex assault

BOSTON — Rep. Niki Tsongas is pressing new Pentagon chief Ash Carter to continue the fight against sexual assault in the military.

The Massachusetts Democrat, who represents the state's 3rd Congressional District, joined dozens of other members of Congress to call on Carter to fulfill what they said is the country's "moral duty to do everything we can to protect those who sacrifice so much to protect us every single day."

They said in a letter to Carter that despite efforts by the Pentagon to confront the problem, the rate of sexual assault in the military remains high.

They also said the retaliation against those who have been assaulted persists.

The letter was also signed by fellow Massachusetts Democratic Reps. Rep. James McGovern of the state's 2nd District and Katherine Clark of the 5th District.

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