Still “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the military – for now
By JR Hoeft | Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 | PolicyThe Pentagon, President Obama, and Pelosi’s House of Representatives couldn’t convince a united GOP in the Senate to break a filibuster threat to overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – the Clinton-era military policy that bans homosexuals from openly serving in the military.
The Senate voted 56-43 to prevent the opening of debate on the “National Defense Authorization Act”, including Democrats Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas (in the midst of a serious re-election battle) and Mark Pryor also of Arkansas. The Majority Leader Harry Reid voted against opening debate also, which means he can bring the bill back up for discussion at a later time (perhaps during a lame duck session?).
In February, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen, told a Senate Armed Services Committee:
“We have in place a policy that forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens,” Mullen said. “For me, personally, it comes down to integrity: Theirs as an individual, ours as an institution.”
Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner voted for debate to begin.
The bill, which ostensibly is a military funding bill, contains the DADT language also. Of the bill, Webb said:
“As our men and women in uniform continue to place their lives on the line in Iraq and Afghanistan, now is not the time to hold up the critical funding they need by persisting in a filibuster of the National Defense Authorization Act. This bill will improve the quality of life of our all-volunteer force and their families; it should not be delayed.
“I understand the concerns that have motivated Senator McCain and others. However, this was merely a vote to proceed to the bill. If they had ended their filibuster, then Senators would have been free to offer and vote on amendments regarding Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, The Dream Act, and other amendments as part of the larger consideration of the bill.”
Of course, Webb knows that the likelihood of being able to amend the DADT language out of the bill is exactly 0%, given the vast majority Dems have.
The Pentagon itself is moving forward with a survey of servicemembers and their families on their reaction to the proposed policy change. Webb says the senate should still wait for the survey to be completed and assessed before the Congress moves forward on any legislative changes to the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
However, Senator John McCain, who led the filibuster charge, in a confirmation hearing yesterday for commandant of the USMC, Gen. James Amos, called the survey a “political ploy.”
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Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
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7 Responses to "Still “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the military – for now"
Yes, I guess John McCain has great knowledge and savy about political ploys. Afterall, he plucked an obscure Governor and put her in the limelight, overshadowing him and the party. Way to go John.
Mike why are you upset with Republicans like John McCain ? The Democrats are in control blame them for not making the CHANGE you were promised.
Actually, I think the President has done an outstanding job, especially in the fact of total obstructionism on the part of the republicans. Regretfully, their refusal to do what is best for America is very disturbing to me. Yet despite this, the economy is out of recession, growth is occuring, the banking sector has recovered from their own greed and irrational exhuberance, financial regulation has been passed, nearly universal health care is now the law of the land, and even small businesses on main street show signs of some improvement. Given the depth of despair created by the policies of the Bush Administration, the President has made remarkable progress in the face of total denial and obstructionism from the republicans.
Yes…I agree with you, President Obama is sooooo dreamy.
A decision without the report from the military you vowed to wait on to make a decision on Gay’s in the military. And here it is…with a bi-partisan agreement AGAINST the bill.
He’s provided $2 billion to Brazil’s Petrabras, $1 billion to Mexico to explore for oil. Meanwhile, 23,000 oil jobs have been lost due to the 6 month moratorium. Meanwhile, he’s permanently capping 35,000 wells already drilled which mean a massive lost in revenue. We’ve lost 2 of our 33 deep oil rigs already. While we’re funding the oil exploration of foreign countries, our oil industry is falling apart.
The growth of our economy is below 2% while the healthcare bill alone was estimated with a growth of 3% GDP. A six year universal Obamacare plan is based off a 10 year budget.
Small business owners are being regulated to death and this so-called small business plan doesn’t necessarily mean that small businesses will get loans. Huh?
Luckily, the press is in bed with him.
Yes, Yoda…we are out of the recession. Keeping your own money is greedy? You keep enjoying that Kool aid. …and I can continue with the successes of this country, or shall I say dreams. Yes…he is soooo awesome!
Mike how can you accuse the Republican’s of being obstructionist ? Do you not realize the DemoRATS are in total control of the House and Senate ? The DemoRATS can pass anything they want all by themselves the Republicans can’t stop them.So give credit where credit is due.Blame the DemoRATS they could have passed it with only DemoRATS voting for it.Watching the DemoRats should disturb you.
Well will, perhaps you have forgotten that legislation must be passed in both the House and the Senate, and the use of clotute by the republicans has been raised repeatedly to thwart the will of the majority. So the obstructionism of the republicans has been used as a weapon to damage the country and prevent legislation approved by the majority. Regretfully, that intentional policy of obstructionism has worked; the net effect is that the country is worse off. Of course, that is exactly what the republicans have wanted; swift boating raised to a new level.
Mr Barrett conveniently forgets the Dems had 60 votes in the Senate for 8 months.
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