Defense Bill That Includes Sexual Assault Crackdown Sent to Obama After Senate Approval
Source: Associated Press
WASHINGTON—Congress is sending President Barack Obama a comprehensive defense bill that would crack down on sexual assault in the military and add protections for victims.
The Senate voted 84-15 Thursday night for the legislation, which capped a year-long campaign led by the women of the Senate to address the scourge of rape and sexual assault in the ranks.
The White House had expressed support for the legislation, which would provide $552.1 billion for the regular military budget and $80.7 billion for the war in Afghanistan and other overseas operations, a reflection of deficit-driven efforts to trim spending and the drawdown in a conflict lasting more than a decade.
The bill covers combat pay, ships, aircraft and bases and would provide a 1 percent pay raise to military personnel.
“This bill is not a Christmas gift to our troops and their families,” said Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich. “Supporting our troops and their families is what we owe them. It’s the least we can do, for they are the gift, they are the gift to this country, to this nation and to all of its people.”
Read more: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/408788-defense-bill-that-includes-sexual-assault-crackdown-sent-to-obama-after-senate-approval/
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