Republicans may block 2011 defense budget bill

[unhappycamper]

Republicans may block 2011 defense budget bill
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Aug 5, 2010 20:19:17 EDT

The first skirmish in the Senate’s battle to bring the 2011 defense budget up for floor debate was fought Thursday, with Democrats and Republicans bickering about whether and how to consider a bill that includes controversial provisions involving gays in uniform and abortions in military hospitals.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee and a fierce opponent of repealing the military’s bans on openly gay members and elective abortions, objected when Democrats tried to arrange for the Senate to consider the $725 billion defense bill in September when lawmakers return from a summer break.

McCain said he would not agree to allow the bill to be considered unless there is a means of striking the “don’t ask, don’t tell” and abortion ban repeals from the bill.

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., the committee chairman who will be floor manager for the 2011 defense authorization bill if it comes up for debate, said McCain and other opponents of the two contested provisions would have a chance to debate the issues if the bill is brought up for amendment.

But McCain wasn’t willing to take a chance on losing. He recalled that Democrats locked out Republicans from offering amendments to the 2010 defense bill last year by using procedural motions, something he didn’t want to happen this time.

[spanone]

1. good, end the fucking wars

[Bandit]

2. 725 billion dollar Defense Bill and there WILL BE Supplemental bills added.

More than twice what Defense Spending was under Clinton and the Military was more than well enough equiped to Charge into both Afghanistan and Iraq under Bush*. This is killing the American Dream..