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Podcasts Take Two
Bill to curb sexual assault in the military dividing Congress
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Jun 12, 2013
Listen • 7:27
Bill to curb sexual assault in the military dividing Congress
A big sticking point in the debate over how to curb sexual assault in the military is who should decide whether alleged crimes go to trial.
US President Barack Obama speaks following a meeting with US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel (2nd R) and Chief of Staff of the Army Ray Odierno (2nd L) on 16 May, 2013 in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Obama met with Hagel, service secretaries, and service chiefs to discuss sexual assault in the military. The US military vowed May 15 to address a wave of sexual assault cases after a soldier who worked in a rape prevention program was accused of forcing a subordinate into prostitution. The latest revelation marked the second time in a week that a member of the military assigned to work in its sexual assault prevention program had been placed under investigation for alleged sexual crimes.
US President Barack Obama speaks following a meeting with US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel (2nd R) and Chief of Staff of the Army Ray Odierno (2nd L) on 16 May, 2013 in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Obama met with Hagel, service secretaries, and service chiefs to discuss sexual assault in the military.
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MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
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A big sticking point in the debate over how to curb sexual assault in the military is who should decide whether alleged crimes go to trial.

A big sticking point in the debate over how to curb sexual assault in the military is who should decide whether alleged crimes go to trial.

A proposal to take the decision out of the hands of military commanders and give it to military prosecutors was approved by the personnel panel of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The legislation was crafted by Sen. Kristen Gillibrand of New York and co-sponsored by California's Sen. Barbara Boxer. 

But the head of the committee, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan, said he will take the measure out of the defense spending bill.

Guest: US Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California