Lieberman introduces a bill to repeal DADT

Timothy Kincaid

March 3rd, 2010

Senator Joseph Lieberman, a formerly Democrat and currently Independent Senator from Connecticut, has introduced a senate bill which would “replace the current policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, referred to as ”Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.”

Specifically, it would repeal Section 654 of title 10 (“unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion”) and subsections (b), (c), and (d) of section 571 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell).

Instead, this bill would:

  • create Section 656 would be created which would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation
  • authorize a Pentagon Working Group which would have nine months to recommend implementation of the new policy, after which the Secretary of Defense would have two months to revise regulations
  • require the Secretary of Defense to report back in six months as to whether universities are allowing or welcoming ROTC onto their campus (some had banned or discouraged them due to discrimination policies)

Co-signing with Lieberman were:

Carl Levin (D-MI)
Mark Udall (D-CO)
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Roland Burris (D-IL)
Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)
Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Arlen Specter (D-PA)
Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Al Franken (D-MN)

David C.

March 3rd, 2010

Of course, you don’t see an “R” next to any of those names.

David Farrell

March 3rd, 2010

I just emailed both my Senators and asked them to support Senator Lieberman in his attempts to repeal DADT.

johnathan

March 3rd, 2010

I am surprised to see Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), as well as Patty Murray (D-WA), Chris Dodd (D-CT), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), and other supportive Democratic Senators. As for Republicans, I am surprised Susan Collins (R-ME) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) — or at least one of them — did not sign on as a co-sponsor as well. They tend to be very supportive of the LGBT community — or supportive as Republican Senators go.

In regard to these Senators, my surprise will disappear if they suspect Lieberman will pull a fast one and (1) delay the bill until eternity or (2) otherwise change the bill to delay/minimize the FULL repeal of DADTDP.

johnathan

March 4th, 2010

Oops…time to clarify my first (earlier) comment. I was tired and unaware at the time. Two things:

(1) I meant to write: “I am surprised to see Senators [Insert names here] … and other supportive Democratic Senators” co-sponsor this bill; AND

(2) IGNORE Dianne Feinstein’s name from my original comment. I failed to note her name from the original co-sponsor list.

Have a great night!

soren456

March 4th, 2010

I don’t like the way ROTC is tied to it.

Isn’t Lieberman wanting to overturn bans on ROTC — some dating from the Viet Nam era, and not for reasons of discrimination — as part of ending DADT?

I could be wrong . . . .

Burr

March 4th, 2010

Not sure where to put this, but it’s along the same lines sort of.. 18 senators are pushing to lift the ban on gay blood donations..

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100304/hl_afp/usgayshealth

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