Claire McCaskill Blocks Air Force Officer Susan Helms' Nomination Over Military Sexual Assault [View all]
Source: Huffington Post
WASHINGTON — A U.S. senator remains steadfast in blocking the nomination of Air Force Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, tapped to serve as vice commander of the U.S. Space Command, over serious concerns with Helms' decision to overturn a jury conviction in a sexual assault case.
Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who first put a hold on the nomination in April, said she met with Helms and Air Force officials yet still had reservations.
"At a time when the military is facing a crisis of sexual assault, making a decision that sends a message which dissuades reporting of sexual assaults, supplants the finding of a jury, contradicts the advice of counsel and further victimizes a survivor of sexual assault is unacceptable," said McCaskill, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
McCaskill's hold effectively prevents the Senate from approving Helms' nomination.
In February 2012, Helms rejected the recommendation of legal counsel and overturned the conviction of an Air Force captain who had been found guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a female lieutenant.
Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/07/claire-mccaskill-susan-helms_n_3402854.html
Good job Senator. Keep up the good work.
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