Defense Dept. Opposed Anti-Rape Rule for Contractors

When 30 Republicans voted against an Al Franken amendment prohibiting defense contractors from forcing their employees to agree not to sue if they’re raped, Jon Stewart and liberals everywhere went ballistic. But those 30 Republicans weren’t alone, the Huffington Post reports; the Defense Department opposed the amendment as well. The DoD sent a message to the Senate opposing the amendment, arguing that it “may not be in a position to know about such things.”

It recommended instead banning all such arrangements on all business dealings within the US. The White House says the DoD overstated its opposition. “We support the intent of the amendment, and we’re working with the conferees to make sure that it is enforceable,” said a spokesman. Republicans gave various reasons for their own opposition. Thad Cochran said the government shouldn’t dictate private contract terms, while John Thune said he might support the amendment if it only covered rape, rather than other sexual abuse. (More Defense Dept. stories.)