OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: McCain threatens hold on Dempsey

Asked about the hold, Dempsey’s spokesman, Col. Edward Thomas,
said, “The chairman respects the confirmation process and, if confirmed for
another two-year term, will be honored to serve at the pleasure of the president
and with the consent of Congress.”

{mosads}While McCain’s hold could delay Dempsey’s confirmation for a
second term as Joint Chiefs chairman, he appears to be the only senator
mounting an opposition. Others Republicans critical of the Obama administration
on Syria, including Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.),
said Thursday they supported Dempsey. 

Defense appropriations bill on hold over amendments: The Defense appropriations
bill was further
delayed on Thursday as House Republican leaders grappled with handling
amendments to the bill — and
getting a rule that could pass on the House floor.

The Rules Committee postponed a meeting scheduled for
Thursday to take up the rule to the Defense bill, and it has not yet been
rescheduled.

Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) indicated earlier in
the week that the committee might adopt a rule limiting amendments that receive
votes on the floor, as there are concerns over amendments trying to defund the
NSA’s surveillance programs or limit President Obama’s options in Syria.

A defense industry source with knowledge of the
deliberations told The Hill that the latest delay was due to leadership
concerns that a structured rule that limits amendments could not pass.

There have been 173 amendments filed to the bill as of
Thursday, including eight on limiting military aid or action in Syria, and
three that would restrict the NSA’s surveillance funding.

Levin says NDAA
‘unlikely’ in July: It’s unlikely the Defense authorization bill will come
to the Senate floor in July — though there’s still a slim chance, Levin said
Thursday.

The Armed Services chairman told reporters that the majority
leader’s staff has told him they want to bring the bill up “as soon as
possible,” but that probably won’t be until after the August recess.

“My own between-the-lines assessment is it’s unlikely it’s
going to happen with all the things going on,” Levin said.

Levin said he hadn’t spoken recently with Majority Leader
Harry Reid (D-Nev.) about the timing of the annual defense policy bill.

Sexual battery charge
dropped against prevention officer: Sexual battery charges were
dropped on Thursday against the Air Force’s former top sexual assault
prevention officer, who was instead charged with generic assault.

The prosecutor still intends to pursue charges of assault,
rather than sexual battery, which both carry a maximum sentence of one year.

The sexual battery charges filed in May against Lt. Col.
Jeff Krusinski, who was the Air Force’s chief sexual assault prevention
officer, sparked widespread outrage in Congress and helped fuel momentum to
change the military’s approach to sexual assault.

Krusinski’s attorney said that Thursday’s developments
should give people “pause before we make premature judgments about pending
criminal cases before trial.”

“Charging decisions such as this one must be based on the
facts and the law of each individual case, not on politics or the desire to
have a ‘teachable moment’ concerning issues such as sexual abuse in the
military,” attorney Barry Coburn said in a statement.

In Case You Missed It:

— McCain threatens
hold on Dempsey

— McCain rebukes
Dempsey for policy ‘pirouettes’

— Judge allows ‘aiding the enemy’ charge
against Manning

— Sequestration looms
large over Dempsey hearing

— McCain, Graham meet
with Obama at White House

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