Patrick Leahy: “I support S. 768, which was significantly improved during the Judiciary Committee mark up with a substitute amendment…”

“I support S. 768, which was significantly improved during the Judiciary Committee mark up with a substitute amendment that I cosponsored with Senators Sessions and DeWine. This important legislation will close a gap in Federal law that has existed for many years. S. 768 establishes authority for Federal jurisdiction over crimes committed by individuals accompanying our military overseas and court-martial jurisdiction over Department of Defense employees and contractors accompanying the Armed Forces on contingency missions outside the United States during times of war or national emergency declared by the President or the Congress. Civilians accompanying the Armed Forces have been subject to court-martial jurisdiction when 'accompanying or serving with the Armies of the United States in the field' since the Revolutionary War. It is only since the start of the Cold War that American troops, accompanied by civilian dependents and employees, have been stationed overseas in peace time. Provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice provide for the court-martial of civilians accused of crimes while accompanying the armed forces in times of peace or war.”