The Senate today blocked the start of debate on the National Defense Authorization Act, with Republicans objecting to a provision that would repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The vote was 56 to 43, with 60 votes needed to break the filibuster.
DADT was one of several sticking points of the defense authorization bill, which must pass in order to fund the military.
Republican senators, including Sens. John McCain (AZ) and Susan Collins (ME), argued that passing repeal now would undermine the Defense Department's review of the policy, which won't be completed until December.
The language in the bill provides that DADT wouldn't be repealed until 60 days after the review is complete and the plan for repeal is signed off on by the president, defense secretary and joint chiefs of staff.
The White House said today it supports the repeal language.
So this one goes back to the drawing board to after the election. Meanwhile, Johnny Volcano is already claiming a "bipartisan victory" because of Pryor and Lincoln.
And the GOP wins again. The vote would have lost anyway even without Pryor and Lincoln, but they can't help themselves being Southern Democrats and giving into the bigotry. Nice job.
And you wonder why there's an enthusiasm gap.
[UPDATE] Steve M. for the win:
If you didn't have a plan, you should have promised to fight -- no more. You shouldn't have told us you'd be able to prevail.
This right here. Obama promised this years ago, and could have taken steps through executive orders. We were told Congress had to have its say on it. 59 Dems and the GOP still won. Every single Republican came down on the side of bigotry and homophobia against Americans serving their country.
The Dems screwed this up royally, and now they are going to let the GOP walk out unscathed.
Posts
4 comments:
It is almost like all the people who warned that Obama was nothing more than an empty suit were right...
Right, because the 41 GOP Senators blocking this legislation had nothing to do with it. Let's blame Obama.
"Obama promised this years ago, and could have taken steps through executive orders"
Let's blame the GOP for waiting on the Pentagon who stated they would have a report by what was it? December 1st?
Hypocrite
You know what was in the legislation, Waffles?
The legislation would have allowed the military, on the Pentagon's recommendation, to end DADT based on the Pentagon's assessment, due December 1.
The legislation would have given the final say to the Pentagon. The "We must wait for the December 1 report!" is complete bullshit, because that's exactly what the amendment would have done in the first place.
Pay attention.
Post a Comment