Senate Blocks Sex-Assault Reform

The Senate blocked Kirsten Gillibrand’s bill reforming how the military handles cases of sexual assault. By a vote of 55 to 45, the Senate failed to overcome a filibuster against Gillibrand’s proposal to move sexual-assault investigations out of the military’s chain of command and into the hands of independent prosecutors. Eleven Republicans backed Gillibrand's bill, including Ted Cruz and Rand Paul. Ten Democrats were opposed, including Carl Levin and Claire McCaskill. Afterward, McCaskill's bill to keep sexual assault prosecution overcame a filibuster and will be up for a final vote on Monday.