Missouri’s Senators are in agreement on what they see as the better of two proposals to combat sexual assaults in the military.
Senator Claire McCaskill (D) is the sponsor of one of two amendments to the 2014 defense spending bill that would lay out how allegations of sexual assaults in the military would be handled, and by whom. Her proposal would leave with military commanders the authority prosecute cases while stripping them of the power to overturn jury convictions. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D) proposes giving military prosecutors oversight.
The issue was debated for much of Wednesday but an effort to hold a vote failed. A vote could come before Thanksgiving.
Senator Roy Blunt (R) spoke on the Senate floor in favor of McCaskill’s amendment, saying she and Gillibrand only disagree on how to fix what all senators agree is a problem.
“We all believe this problem’s got to be solved. I think we all believe the (underlying) bill takes a significant, strong step toward doing that. I think most senators are going to agree that the McCaskill amendment adds another element there.”
Both Missouri senators sit on the Armed Services Committee.