Panel rejects pulling sex assault cases from military’s chain of command

[babylonsister]

Makes no sense to me...


Panel rejects pulling sex assault cases from military’s chain of command
By Jeremy Herb - 06/12/13 03:42 PM ET


The Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday voted against removing sexual assault cases from the military’s chain of command.

The panel voted 17-9 to include in the Defense authorization bill an alternative from Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) that establishes a review process for sexual assault cases where a commander decides not to prosecute.

The amendment gutted the measure from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in the Defense bill that would have given military prosecutors — and not commanders — the decision to prosecute major criminal cases, including sexual assault.

Wednesday’s vote was a significant blow to Gillibrand's hopes to overhaul the military's judicial system, which has pitted her against Levin, the committee's longtime chairman from her own party, and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), one of the committee’s loudest voices for reform.

Levin’s amendment divided Democrats on the panel 7-7, but had the support of most Republicans on the committee, with the exception of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who said he supported Gillibrand’s measure.

more...

http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/policy-and-strategy/305123-senate-panel-keeps-sex-assault-cases-in-chain-of-command

[bettyellen]

2. what a shame.

[GeorgeGist]

3. Cowards.

Despicable.

[liberal_at_heart]

4. We can't count of Congress to do ANYTHING! THEY ALL SUCK!

[TexasProgresive]

5. In any other career

Criminal acts are investigated and tried by cops and courts not your boss who may be the perpetrator.

[liberal_at_heart]

7. yeah and people as incompetent as our Congress would be fired in any other career.

When are we going to start firing these people?

[liberal_at_heart]

6. Was all that talk by democrats during the last election about women's rights just that, talk?

Women's rights was the only issue that kept me from voting third party last time. If I can't count on democrats to even stand up for women's rights, why the hell should I vote democrat in the next election?

[octoberlib]

8. My Senator stood with Gillibrand

I'm disappointed in the Dems who didn't support her bill.

[liberal_at_heart]

9. those in power protect those in power. They watch each other's backs instead of watching ours.

They never just give up power. Power has to be taken from them.