WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a surprising move, the U.S. Senate has blocked a bill that would have stripped senior military officers of their authority to prosecute rape within their ranks.
Thursday's vote came down to a final roll call of 55-45, falling short of the 60 votes necessary to proceed with the legislation. The measure received staunch opposition from top Pentagon officials, who argued that the onus for handling misconduct should fall within the military.
Proponents of the measure have argued that the scope of the Uniform Code of Military Justice does not sufficiently allow for the prosecution of sexual assault.
