New York Daily News: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s legislation to curb sexual assaults in military not part of defense bill
The New York Daily News reports:
She could try to tack her proposal onto the bill through an amendment — but that would scuttle the deal to pass the measure before Christmas break, lawmakers said.
The number of sexual assaults in the military soared to more than 26,000 in 2012. Gillibrand wants to move responsibility for prosecuting such cases out of the military chain of command, to encourage more victims to step forward. Most Pentagon leaders oppose such a change.
Gillibrand’s camp said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told her he will allow a vote on her proposal. But it may not be this year.
