Reid Reaffirms Commitment To Ending DADT, But Also Slams GOP For Opposing The Measure

[ProSense]

Reid Reaffirms Commitment To Ending DADT, But Also Slams GOP For Opposing The Measure

Responding to reports that Democrats are considering stripping the National Defense Authorization Act of the amendment to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Jim Manley — Sen. Harry Reid’s (D-NV) spokesperson — issued the following statement:

“Like Defense Secretary Gates, Senator Reid strongly supports the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to help strengthen our volunteer force and is continuing to work toward passing the repeal this year. He, of course, can’t do it alone. The Senator needs Republicans to at least agree to have a debate on this issue — a debate he firmly believes the Senate should have.

It’s unfortunate that Senator McCain — who previously expressed support for the repeal of this law — and other senate republicans, are ignoring the advice of our military leaders to reverse this discriminatory policy that not only harms our men and women in uniform, but also our national security.”

Indeed, McCain was for repealing the policy before he was against it and has gone to great lengths to obscure the fact that the the actual repeal amendment doesn’t lift the ban until the Pentagon completes its review of the policy, and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen and President Obama all certify that repeal would not undermine unit cohesion and military effectiveness.

The Republicans certainly deserve a good deal of blame for filibustering the National Defense Authorization Act in September and putting concerns about Senate procedure ahead of America’s national security interests. Sen. Susan Collins’ (R-ME) equation of senate rules with the freedom to serve openly in the military, for instance — “I think we should welcome the service of these individuals who are willing and capable of serving their country. But I cannot vote to proceed to this bill under a situation that is going to shut down debate and preclude Republican amendments. That too is not fair,” she said — is insulting.

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Of course, the Democrats can still try to pass repeal in the lame duck session and if they introduce the National Defense Authorization Act in the first part of November, the chances of it passing will increase. They rise even higher if moderate Republicans decide to cooperate in the effort. But Democrats can only control their own behavior and being in the majority, they have the ability to force a vote that would end a deeply unpopular policy. Here’s to hoping they do.

[msongs]

1. reid can attach it to every bill for the next 2 years if he has to nt

[jenmito]

2. They'll have at LEAST 60 votes if they don't take the vote 'til the "study" comes back

Dec. 1st. That will still be the lame duck session, right? And Obama said he'd actively lobby senators 'til there ARE 60 votes.

[rhett o rick]

3. Isnt "reaffirming commitment" just so much rhetoric? nm

[SidDithers]

4. K&R...nt

Sid

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. Good

now what about the Log Cabin Republicans' commitment to lobbying their fellow Republicans to allow for an up-or-down vote on it?

[ampad]

6. Question

If they were to repeal it during the lame duck session could the repigs go back and try to reverse it? If so can the president and or the Senate stop this from happening? It would not be good for the party to have this repealed then reversed. Especially since many are under the impression that this could of been repealed when we had the house.