but senator gillebrand's bill which is considered much stronger, that bill has still continued to be fact, 55 senators backed it in early march. but it was still filibustered by a minority of 34 republicans and 10 democrats as well as one independent. joining us now is susan burke, the attorney who represented so many survivors of military sexual assault, featured in the bottom tear. thanks for joining us. >> thank you for having me. >> when you listen to these cases what do they tell you about the need for further reforms? >> well, they tem us the military cannot effectively prosecute rape and sexual assault. they're not good at policing their own. we've got to reform the system if we're going to change these type of dismal results. >> yeah. and let me bring from senator gillebrand's proposal and many of our viewers have seen her on several showers discussing this issue. she says this illustrates a military justice system in dire need of independence from the chain of command. it's not only the right thing to do for men and women in uniform but would also mitigate undue command infl

the bill sponsored by a senator kristin gillebrand. >> the people who do not trust of chain of commandtims i don't think ceos ought to determine whether a case of rape should be prosecuted do you? >> the leadership arguing officers should have more responsibility, not less. >> you take responsibility from that commanding officer, then, you're eroding his ability to lead. >> the bay area congress woman issued a statement until we fix the system, the fight will continue. >> the pentagon confirmed the top sex crimes prosecutor has been suspended over a groping allegation the lieutenant colonel tried to kiss and grope a female lawyer in a legal conference on sexual assault. the incident occurred two years ago before he was promoted to his position. in fort bragg north carolina an army general pled guilty to a number of sex crimes but continues to fight a charge he sexual assaulted a female captain during their three-year affair. jeffrey sinclaire admitted having the affair and seeking nude pictures of other junior officers and pled guilt yes to possessing pornography. >> the president impo

the bill sponsored by a senator kristin gillebrand. >> the people who do not trust of chain of commandre the victims i don't think ceos ought to determine whether a case of rape should be prosecuted do you? >> the leadership arguing officers should have more responsibility, not less. >> you take responsibility from that commanding officer, then, you're eroding his ability to lead. >> the bay area congress woman issued a statement until we fix the system, the fight will continue. >> the pentagon confirmed the top sex crimes prosecutor has been suspended over a groping allegation the lieutenant colonel tried to kiss and grope a female lawyer in a legal conference on sexual assault. the incident occurred two years ago before he was promoted to his position. in fort bragg north carolina an army general pled guilty to a number of sex crimes but continues to fight a charge he sexual assaulted a female captain during their three-year affair. jeffrey sinclaire admitted having the affair and seeking nude pictures of other junior officers and pled guilt yes to possessing pornography. >> the pres

i think this issue is of special victims counsel that senator mccaskill and i and senator gillebrand and others. making retaliation a crime under the ucmj and i think as we go forward. this is something we look at to make sure that it is clear that any kind of action against a victim's counsel that is helping sexual assault victims should be actionable. that's an important thing so that everyone understands that retaliation against a victim is a crime with ucmj but also retaliation of someone acting on his or her behalf should be as well. i think that's something we can make sure as we look at this going forward. senator mccaskill and others have thought it's a good idea eliminating the good soldier defense. i am hoping we do that this year, special victims' counsel but this good soldier defense has no place in determining, you know, the outcome of these cases in the sense that your conduct should determine the outcome. and if you've committed a crime and have committed these horrible acts, then just because you were a good soldier doesn't mean you shouldn't be held accountable and f

i think this issue is of special victims counsel that senator mccaskill and i and senator gillebrand and others. making retaliation a crime under the ucmj and i think as we go forward. this is something we look at to make sure that it is clear that any kind of action against a victim's counsel that is helping sexual assault victims should be actionable. that's an important thing so that everyone understands that retaliation against a victim is a crime with ucmj but also retaliation of someone acting on his or her behalf should be as well. i think that's something we can make sure as we look at this going forward. senator mccaskill and others have thought it's a good idea eliminating the good soldier defense. i am hoping we do that this year, special victims' counsel but this good soldier defense has no place in determining, you know, the outcome of these cases in the sense that your conduct should determine the outcome. and if you've committed a crime and have committed these horrible acts, then just because you were a good soldier doesn't mean you shouldn't be held accountable and f