Obama’s decision was criticized by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who led a congressional effort this year to impose deep reforms on the military’s justice system.

“I do not want to wait another year to enact the one reform survivors have asked for in removing commanders with no legal training and conflicts of interest from the decision of whether or not to prosecute a rape or sexual assault,” she said.

It was hailed by Gillibrand’s chief opponent, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who backed more modest reforms.

“I agree with him that we should give these significant reforms the time they need to succeed,” she said in a statement. “And I too, plan to spend the next year holding commanders accountable, and ensuring that these historic reforms are implemented forcefully and effectively.”