Susan Walsh/AP
Congress Won't Vote on How to End Military Sexual Assault
Senate runs out of time to vote on two competing amendments to Defense policy bill.
Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Claire McCaskill have been warring over amendments to change how the military deals with sexual assault, but now neither measure will get a vote. Gillibrand wants to take sexual assault cases out of the military chain of command, while McCaskill wants reform that leaves commanders in charge. The Hill reports that the Senate won't vote on either amendment.
The Senate just ran out of time on this one. Congress has to pass a defense bill before the House leaves for vacation on December 13. Voting on major amendments would result in more than one volley between the Senate and the House, so Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid probably won't allow it.
McCaskill may still see her reforms enacted, however. The defense bill contains a couple of provisions that match her goals -- namely "stripping commanders’ ability to overturn guilty verdict" and "requiring discharge for those convicted of sexual assault."