A key procedural vote on the bill containing a repeal of the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy failed Thursday, likely dealing a final blow to advocates who hoped to overturn the 17-year old ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military during this session of Congress.
Dem H. Reid allegedly walked away from negotiations that would have been vital to completing the plan of action for Democrats for the process of debateing DADT. His premature actions may have been the cause of a lost vote in the Senate. SenCollins said that she was "very disappointed" that Reid "walked away from negotiations" and brought the bill up for a vote before an agreement on the process of the debate had been reached and the 60 votes needed to move forward were assured.
Democrats needed 60 votes to advance the Defense Authorization bill for debate on the floor. The vote failed, 57-40.
Ultimately, Majority Leader Harry Reid called for the vote without having reached a procedural agreement with moderate Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who supports repeal but wanted greater openness for the process of amending and passing the bill. Collins voted aye on the measure, but other Republicans who support repeal but had voiced similar procedural concerns -- Sens. Scott Brown and Lisa Murkowski -- voted no.
One Democrat, newly-elected Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, broke with his party to vote no.
The result means that repeal of the ban, enacted in 1993, is unlikely to be changed by Congress anytime soon. The policy is also currently being considered in court proceedings.
Supporters of repeal, including Adm. Mike Mullen and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, have warned that a failure of congressional action could mean a hasty and disorderly implementation of a change if the courts overturn the policy first.
Opponents of repeal say that a change in policy during wartime could disrupt the effectiveness and safety of troops in combat. A recent survey showed that troops serving in combat and members of the Marine Corps were more likely than other service members to voice concerns about the consequences of repeal.
Why am I not suprised. Read now has deniability - "Well, I tried!"
No, you didnt, Mr Reid.
Dem H. Reid allegedly walked away from negotiations that would have been vital to completing the plan of action for Democrats for the process of debateing DADT. His premature actions may have been the cause of a lost vote in the Senate. SenCollins said that she was "very disappointed" that Reid "walked away from negotiations" and brought the bill up for a vote before an agreement on the process of the debate had been reached and the 60 votes needed to move forward were assured.
Democrats needed 60 votes to advance the Defense Authorization bill for debate on the floor. The vote failed, 57-40.
Ultimately, Majority Leader Harry Reid called for the vote without having reached a procedural agreement with moderate Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who supports repeal but wanted greater openness for the process of amending and passing the bill. Collins voted aye on the measure, but other Republicans who support repeal but had voiced similar procedural concerns -- Sens. Scott Brown and Lisa Murkowski -- voted no.
One Democrat, newly-elected Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, broke with his party to vote no.
The result means that repeal of the ban, enacted in 1993, is unlikely to be changed by Congress anytime soon. The policy is also currently being considered in court proceedings.
Supporters of repeal, including Adm. Mike Mullen and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, have warned that a failure of congressional action could mean a hasty and disorderly implementation of a change if the courts overturn the policy first.
Why am I not suprised. Read now has deniability - "Well, I tried!"
No, you didnt, Mr Reid.
Still dont like the guy
ReplyDelete