http://news.yahoo.com/committee-passes-bill-address-sexual-assaults-233047697.html
WASHINGTON - With broad support from Republicans and Democrats, a House committee Wednesday approved legislation to tackle the growing problem of sexual assault in the armed forces by taking away the power of military commanders to overturn convictions in rape and assault cases.
The bill passed by the House Armed Services Committee also requires that anyone found guilty of a sex-related crime receive a punishment that includes, at a minimum, a dismissal from military service or a dishonorable discharge.
"The word should go out clearly and strongly that if you commit a sexual assault in the military, you are out," said Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio. Turner and Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Mass., wrote many of the provisions in the House bill.
This sure sounds great, doesn't it? But the practical impact will be that folks will be less likely to be charged or to be convicted on these charges. Besides, the result is little different than now. In any felony level conviction, service members will be involuntarily separated.
But I guess our legislators will be oh so proud they did something, eh?
WASHINGTON - With broad support from Republicans and Democrats, a House committee Wednesday approved legislation to tackle the growing problem of sexual assault in the armed forces by taking away the power of military commanders to overturn convictions in rape and assault cases.
The bill passed by the House Armed Services Committee also requires that anyone found guilty of a sex-related crime receive a punishment that includes, at a minimum, a dismissal from military service or a dishonorable discharge.
"The word should go out clearly and strongly that if you commit a sexual assault in the military, you are out," said Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio. Turner and Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Mass., wrote many of the provisions in the House bill.
This sure sounds great, doesn't it? But the practical impact will be that folks will be less likely to be charged or to be convicted on these charges. Besides, the result is little different than now. In any felony level conviction, service members will be involuntarily separated.
But I guess our legislators will be oh so proud they did something, eh?
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