VIDEO: Rep. Gabbard (D) Talks Sexual Assault in the Military on CBS

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) said that the issue of sexual assault in the military is "a travesty and is really undermining our national security when you look at it," in an interview that was broadcast live, today, July 22, 2013, on CBS This Morning (7:00-9:00AM) on the CBS Television Network. Watch the interview in full below!

Gabbard, who served two tours in the military in Iraq and Kuwait, told co-hosts Charlie Rose and Norah O'Donnell that she never experienced sexual assault, though knew there "were incidences that were occurring."

"Our commanders gave us briefings about this happening, but up until really recently I don't think any of us really understood the depth and breadth of how bad this really is and how we need to take action now," she added.

Gabbard also discussed the impact of war on the families of military personnel and her time in Congress. She said she believes the current Congress can break the gridlock in Washington. "I think that's really the only place that it can happen is where you come in and have true, sincere, respectful conversations and say look, we're here to serve the people," Gabbard said. "We're Americans first."

Excerpts from the interview are below.

NORAH O'DONNELL: You're new to Congress, and you've recently expressed frustration that sometimes you're sitting there debating issues that you say are idiotic. How frustrating is it?

REP. TULSI GABBARD: I think the frustration that I have felt, even being six months as a member of Congress, that other colleagues of mine feel is reflective of the frustration that we hear every time we go back home to our districts from people who are saying look, we just want you to get something done for us. We don't care about the blame game and the partisan rhetoric that goes back and forth.

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