Sexual assault in the military: How They Voted

won a victory today in her battle with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York

over changes to the way the military deals with allegations of sexual assault.

In general, Gillibrand, a Democrat, supported new legislation moving sexual assault prosecutions outside the military chain of command. McCaskill, also a Democrat, proposed an alternative keeping those prosecutions largely within the command structure.

Gillibrand’s proposal made it to the floor today, where it lost on a procedural vote and died.

As expected, McCaskill voted against the Gillibrand measure, as did her colleague, GOP Sen.

of Kansas, a former Marine and a Republican.

Sen.

of Kansas voted with Gillibrand.

After the Gillibrand measure failed, the Senate approved an end to debate on the McCaskill alternative. That cloture motion passed unanimously.

This story was originally published March 6, 2014 at 3:33 PM with the headline "Sexual assault in the military: How They Voted."