The United States House of Representatives passed the National Defense Reauthorization Act (NDAA) and the United States Senate Armed Services Committee has also passed its version of the NDAA in June.
Some assert that both measures include important new provisions to protect victims, neither goes far enough. The Senate bill will come to the floor soon, and we can use our voices to make these improvements even stronger. The best way to do that is to ask Senators to co-sponsor the Military Justice Improvement Act, S. 967, led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and 33 bipartisan co-sponsors.
Senator Gillibrand intends to add her bill as an amendment to the National Defense Reauthorization Act on the Senate floor in order to ensure that professional military prosecutors are responsible for investigating and prosecuting sexual assault cases. Many domestic violence advocates assert that it should not be handled by the perpetrator’s commanding officer, which can result in conflicts of interest and abuse of power. This bill sends a strong message to the Senate to add this important provision to the National Defense Reauthorization Act before final passage.
In its Action Alert, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence encourages us stand with Senator Gillibrand and other champions in Congress who are demanding that the military protect and defend those who put their lives on the line to protect us.
ACTION ITEM 1
Contact Your Senators And Ask Them To Co-Sponsor The Military Justice Improvement Act.
NCADV Script for caller concerning The Military Justice Improvement Act:
When you call, be sure to ask to speak to the staff person who handles military/defense legislation and say:
• I am a constituent from [city and state] and my name is _________.
• If your senator is not a co-sponsor (see list below):
• I urge Senator [insert name] to co-sponsor S. 967, The Military Justice Improvement Act, which will hold perpetrators of sexual assault accountable for their actions and provide victims of military sexual assault access to safety and justice.
• If your Senator is a co-sponsor:
• I am grateful to Senator [insert name] for co-sponsoring S. 967, The Military Justice Improvement Act, which will hold perpetrators of sexual assault accountable for their actions and provide victims of military sexual assault access to safety and justice.
• Thank the staffer for their time.
Don’t forget to call back and contact your other Senator!
ACTION ITEM 2
Tweet Your Senators
S. 967 Co-Sponsors:
Sen Baldwin, Tammy [WI] – 6/10/2013
Sen Begich, Mark [AK] – 5/16/2013
Sen Blumenthal, Richard [CT] – 5/16/2013
Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] – 5/16/2013
Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA] – 6/18/2013
Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD] – 6/11/2013
Sen Carper, Thomas R. [DE] – 6/3/2013
Sen Casey, Robert P., Jr. [PA] – 6/4/2013
Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] – 5/16/2013
Sen Coons, Christopher A. [DE] – 5/16/2013
Sen Cowan, William M. [MA] – 6/18/2013
Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] – 5/16/2013
Sen Franken, Al [MN] – 5/16/2013
Sen Grassley, Chuck [IA] – 5/16/2013
Sen Harkin, Tom [IA] – 6/20/2013
Sen Heinrich, Martin [NM] – 6/10/2013
Sen Heitkamp, Heidi [ND] – 6/6/2013
Sen Hirono, Mazie K. [HI] – 5/16/2013
Sen Johanns, Mike [NE] – 5/16/2013
Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] – 6/3/2013
Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] – 6/11/2013
Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] – 6/11/2013
Sen Merkley, Jeff [OR] – 6/4/2013
Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] – 5/16/2013
Sen Murkowski, Lisa [AK] – 5/22/2013
Sen Pryor, Mark L. [AR] – 5/16/2013
Sen Rockefeller, John D., IV [WV] – 5/16/2013
Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] – 6/19/2013
Sen Schatz, Brian [HI] – 5/16/2013
Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] – 6/11/2013
Sen Shaheen, Jeanne [NH] – 5/16/2013
Sen Warren, Elizabeth [MA] – 5/22/2013
Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] – 6/17/2013
Source(s): NCADV Action Alert
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
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