Policymic: Democrats Claire McCaskill and Kirstin Gillibrand Clash Over Sexual Assault in the Military
Policymic reports:
Both senators have received top ratings from NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood,NOW, and EMILY’s List, so to see them on opposite sides of an issue as prominent as sexual assault in the military may seem surprising.
Senator McCaskill, who is a former prosecutor herself, has argued in favor of keeping commanders involved in the prosecution process of sexual assault cases, a move favored by most military commanders who say that removing them from their authority in such cases would “undermine their ability to lead.” Senator Gillibrand, on the other hand, has proposed allowing independent military prosecutors to decide which cases move forward in military court.
According to McCaskill, taking commanders out of the process absolves them of any responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy environment among their unit while keeping them involved would create an internal respect for the legal process that wouldn’t necessarily be there if outside prosecutors took charge of the case.
