NBC News: Defense deal minted, but Gillibrand sexual assault amendment dropped
NBC News reports:
Lawmakers announced a sweeping agreement Monday to pass a long-awaited authorization bill for the Defense Department before the end of the year, but a proposed amendment to curb military sexual assault didn’t make the cut.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., had hoped to use the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — a must-pass bill that Congress has approved every year for the past five decades — as a vehicle to advance her proposal to remove sexual assault prosecutions from the military chain of command.
Instead, the pact announced Monday would ease passage of the NDAA before both chambers adjourn for the year, but no additional amendments — including Gillibrand’s — can be added.
