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December 10, 2013

Pentagon Bill Adds Sexual Assault Protections, But Rejects Independent Oversight 
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Congressional lawmakers have reached agreement on a new Pentagon policy
bill that will keep military sexual assault cases within the chain of
command. Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand had led a campaign to
strip military commanders of authority over sexual assault cases and
place it in the hands of an independent military prosecutor. But a
compromise between House and Senate negotiators will ensure commanders
retain control over the court-martial process. But new protections will
be added that include barring officers from overturning sexual assault
verdicts. The Pentagon bill also rejects President Obama's call for the
closure of the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, extending a ban on
transferring prisoners to the United States.