Defense Bill That Includes Sexual Assault Crackdown Sent to Obama After Senate Approval
Source: Associated Press
WASHINGTONCongress is sending President Barack Obama a comprehensive defense bill that would crack down on sexual assault in the military and add protections for victims.
The Senate voted 84-15 Thursday night for the legislation, which capped a year-long campaign led by the women of the Senate to address the scourge of rape and sexual assault in the ranks.
The White House had expressed support for the legislation, which would provide $552.1 billion for the regular military budget and $80.7 billion for the war in Afghanistan and other overseas operations, a reflection of deficit-driven efforts to trim spending and the drawdown in a conflict lasting more than a decade.
The bill covers combat pay, ships, aircraft and bases and would provide a 1 percent pay raise to military personnel.
This bill is not a Christmas gift to our troops and their families, said Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich. Supporting our troops and their families is what we owe them. Its the least we can do, for they are the gift, they are the gift to this country, to this nation and to all of its people.
Read more: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/408788-defense-bill-that-includes-sexual-assault-crackdown-sent-to-obama-after-senate-approval/
Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)-snip-
The legislation would strip military commanders of their ability to overturn jury convictions, require a civilian review if a commander declines to prosecute a case and require that any individual convicted of sexual assault face a dishonorable discharge or dismissal. The bill also would provide victims with legal counsel, eliminate the statute of limitations for courts-martial in rape and sexual assault cases, and criminalize retaliation against victims who report a sexual assault.
The Pentagon has estimated that 26,000 members of the military may have been sexually assaulted last year, though thousands were afraid to come forward for fear of inaction or retribution.
The bill also would change the militarys Article 32 proceedings to limit intrusive questioning of victims, making it more similar to a grand jury
The legislation does not include a contentious proposal from Gillibrand to give victims of rape and sexual assault in the military an independent route outside the chain of command for prosecuting attackers, taking the authority away from commanders.
That proposal drew strong opposition from the Pentagon and several lawmakers. Gillibrands plan is likely to get a separate vote, perhaps as early as next month.
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http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/408788-defense-bill-that-includes-sexual-assault-crackdown-sent-to-obama-after-senate-approval/
Hopefully the Gillibrand proposal will get a vote and pass both chambers of Congress.
ctsnowman
(1,903 posts)War Department but remember we are broke we it comes to the safety net.