Law & order

Defense bill renews fight over military sexual assault

Senators are pledging to use an annual defense policy bill to renew a fight over prosecutions of military sexual assault.

"We know far more now about the extent of the military sexual assault problem than we did a year ago, and it's clear that nothing has changed," Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said during a press conference Tuesday.

A group of bipartisan senators lead by Gillibrand will offer the Military Justice Improvement Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The amendment requires an independent military prosecutor, instead of a military commander, to decide if a sexual assault or other serious crimes should be prosecuted.

The amendment marks the latest front in a yearslong fight by senators to take the decision-making process outside of the military chain of command. Gillibrand tried to get the legislation included last year but failed on a 50-49 vote, with 60 votes needed.