The New York Times reports that “members of Congress cautiously applauded new policies announced at the Pentagon on Thursday that are intended to improve the legal system for victims of sexual assault in the military, but the changes do little to alter the way those crimes are adjudicated.”

“Under pressure from Capitol Hill and from victims’ groups, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said his department would extend a pilot program giving victims of sexual assault their own legal representation and would consider allowing them more influence in the sentencing phase of trials.”