If the chain of command wants to retain these powers under UCMJ, it has to be a chain of command that is accountable.

It is about accountability.

I think, however, we still condone sexual violence in the day-to-day, which is different.

It is actually everyone's responsibility to prevent someone getting in the aircraft who is intoxicated.

A proven sexual assault occurs in my command and I don't report it, I am gone.

The essence of the military is that soldiers protect, not exploit, their comrades, and commanders particularly protect and not exploit their commanders.

It may be well to consider making that much more explicit not only in terms of relief, but in terms of evaluation and in terms of promotion.

I have no doubt, Colonel, if you will let, or even without your knowledge, an intoxicated pilot get in one of your aircraft, you would be relieved.

It is embarrassing, sir. You have an 18-year-old kid who just wants to do well, who is embarrassed by it.

I commanded a paratrooper company a long time ago. It was not mixed gender so this issue of sexual assault was not as central as it is today.

I don't think you can separate it. In fact, it is my opinion that if we do separate these two things that you are talking about, you are actually going to have a significant decrease in reporting.

I think there is enough there not to dismiss that as sort of, well, it is worse in the civilian life.

I announce that the Senator from California (Mrs. Boxer), the Senator from Minnesota (Ms. Klobuchar), and the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Murphy) are necessarily absent.

Mr. President, I just flew in from Chicago. Early this morning, I was given the news that I had lost a great friend and one of my dearest colleagues; Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey passed away. Most of us saw Frank a few weeks ago…

So, when people look at the military and they see these stories about sexual assault, it is not just affecting their view about the military. It weakens their confidence in our Nation.

There is no more solemn obligation we have than to stand up for and protect the men and women who have stepped forward to join our military.

But they are not putting themselves willingly at risk to assault or violence from their superiors, from their colleagues, from other Americans.

When somebody says I will put my life on the line and I will risk death to go in harm's way, but I don't know whether I want to risk a culture that has allowed this to grow so much, that is a very serious concern.