Senate showdown over military sexual assault bill

A Democratic senator has secured public support from nearly half the Senate for a proposal to give victims of rape and sexual assault in the military an independent route outside the chain of command for prosecutions. But New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is short necessary votes.

Her solution appears to have stalled in the face of opposition from the Pentagon's top echelon and its congressional allies. Opponents of her proposal insist that commanders, not an outside military lawyer, must be accountable for meting out justice. The Senate is expected to consider the bill this week. (AP)