Tag Archives: United States Senate Committee on Armed Services

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 11/20~~ the House


matthew 25

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, November 20, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour for debate only with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the second half.

 Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act. There will be up to 6 hours for debate only on the issue of sexual assault with the time divided as follows:

  • Senator Gillibrand, or her designee controlling three hours;
  • Senators McCaskill and Ayotte, or their designees, each controlling 75 minutes;
  • Ranking Member Inhofe, or his designee, controlling 20  minutes; and
  • Chairman Levin, or his designee, controlling 10 minutes.

 We hope to reach an agreement to vote on the sexual assault-related amendments during Wednesday’s session.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to vote on the Gillibrand (SA #2099) and McCaskill-Ayotte (SA #2170) sexual assault amendments at 5:30pm tonight.

Senator Inhofe asked to modify the request that following disposition of the McCaskill/Ayotte amendment #2170, all pending amendments be withdrawn and the Republican manager or his designee be recognized to offer the next amendment in order to be followed by an amendment offered by the Majority side and the two sides continue to offer amendments in alternating fashion until all amendments are disposed of.

Senator Reid did not agree to the modification.

Senator Coburn then objected to the original Reid request.

The Senate is in a period of morning business for debate only until 7:30pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Roll call votes are unlikely tonight. Senator Reid will be recognized at 7:30pm.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.304, Recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the date of the restoration by the Federal Government of Federal recognition to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, November 22, 1983.

Adopted S.Res.305, Recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritages and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of Native Americans to the United States.

Adopted S.Res.306, designating Thursday, November 21, 2013, as “Feed America Day”.

Adopted S.Res.307, a resolution permitting the collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings.

Adopted S.Res.308, Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1752, the Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013. (Gillibrand)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1737, the Minimum Wage Fairness Act. (Harkin)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Senator Reid filed cloture on S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act. The filing deadline for germane first degree amendments is 1:00pm, Thursday, November 21.

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Last Floor Action:
7:08:25 P.M. – The House adjourned. The
next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 20, 2013.

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Command a Change for Survivors of Sexual Assault


National Women's Law Center
Stand with Survivors of Sexual Assault
                Tell your Senators: Stand with survivors to prevent sexual assault in the military.
Take Action

Fox News host Andrea Tantaros attacked MSNBC for covering the Senate’s hearing last week on the scourge of tens of thousands of sexual assaults in the military. She said, “What baffles me though is the way they prioritize these issues… Why is MSNBC devoting so much time to this issue?”
Why? Maybe we should instead be asking why isn’t everyone trying to fix this egregious injustice?
Tell your Senators: Stand strong for survivors of sexual assault in the military.
Sexual assault and sexual harassment have been persistent problems in the military for decades. As soon as tomorrow, Congress will have the opportunity to do something about it, as members of the Senate Armed Services Committee begin making changes to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2014. They can do the right thing by improving the military justice system in ways that will deter perpetrators and send a strong message that sexual assault will not be tolerated. This can be accomplished by moving decision-making on whether and how to prosecute serious offenses like sexual assault out of the chain of command — and by giving decisions to prosecute to trained, experienced military prosecutors, creating a specialized office to convene courts and appoint judges and juries, and prohibiting commanders from overturning guilty verdicts.
Separating military justice decision-making from the chain of command will put decision-making into the hands of those who have legal expertise and make it possible for commanders to concentrate on the areas in which they have expertise, including improving the climate in their commands to prevent sexual assault.
It’s time to fix this broken system. Take action and stand up for survivors of sexual assault in the military.
Congress has a responsibility to members of the military and survivors everywhere to ensure that perpetrators of sexual assault are held accountable for their actions and not allowed back into the ranks. We must work together to make sure that happens.
Sincerely,

Nancy Duff Campbell