Box Turtle Bulletin
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyDecember 10th, 2010
So far, information surrounding the efforts of Senators Lieberman (I-CT) and Collins (R- ME) to get a standalone repeal bill to end the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy is sparse. Here is what we know:
The bill is Senate Bill 4022 and although the text of this bill does not appear to be available online, GovTrack.us is claiming that it was introduced last night:
Dec 9, 2010: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
This is confusing, because Lieberman has been twittering that this bill would take advantage of Rule 14 and would not be sent to committee. It is unknown whether Rein reneged on that offer or if Lieberman was mistaken.
But this assignment may not be a lethal move. I believe that Sen Levin (D-MI) has the power to call that committee into session just for the purpose of voting it out of committee. Although Senators McCain, Inhofe, and Sessions are members, they may have limited obstructionist abilities.
The Armed Service Committee has 15 Democrats, including Lieberman. One is Joe Manchin who was the only Democrat to vote against cloture and is on record as opposing repeal “at this time.” Republicans have 12 members on the committee, but two of them are Sen. Collins and Sen. Brown who are both on record as supporting repeal. Additionally, Lindsey Graham, who is considered an unknown vote, sits on this committee, as does Saxby Chambliss, who may feel a certain amount of pressure not to appear too homophobic after an anti-gay death threat was traced to one of his staff members (though his support is a very long shot).
I would find it peculiar if this bill could not get out of Armed Services fairly easily.
The two other sponsors (so far) of this bill are Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO, also sits on Armed Services) and Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY).
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Freddy
December 10th, 2010
Timothy, and here I thought were perfect until now…
It is unknown whether Rein reneged on….
Anyway, lets hope that this is the govtrac.us lists things, as this is something that my not go through normal channels, it may not be listed properly where there is a standard format for the usual bills. It looks to me that as a bill moves through the process, the lines turn green and the box is checked to indicate where it currently stands.
johnathan
December 10th, 2010
As a point of correction, Senator Lieberman is from Connecticut, not Delaware. (You currently have him listed as being: I-DE.) Understandable, however, with so many politicians to keep track of.
Timothy Kincaid
December 10th, 2010
johnathan
thanks, fixed.
Ryan
December 10th, 2010
Why is Lindsey Graham considered an “unknown vote”? He’s stated quite clearly he doesn’t think the votes are there for repeal, and he’s never stated a pro-repeal position.
Is it really possible for a bill to go to Committee and get out of committee and be voted on the floor within one week? I guess we’ll know soon, and if Brown is telling the truth or not based on his vote in the Committee.
customartist
December 11th, 2010
Don’t just sit there – Lift a finger – call your Senators.
(202)224-3121
Tell them to “Vote FOR DADT Repeal”
*The Operator will direct you if you do not know your representative
Complete Senate Contacts:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Key Senators:
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): 202-224-6665
George Voinovich (R-OH): 202-224-3353
Olympia Snowe (R-ME): 202-224-5344
Richard Lugar (R-IN): 202-224-4814
Judd Gregg (R-NH): 202-224-3324
Scott Brown (R-MA): 202-224-4543
Kit Bond (R-MO): 202-224-5721
Mark Kirk (R-IL): 202-224-2854
Joe Manchin (D-WV): 202-224-3954
Pender
December 11th, 2010
Really hope I’m wrong, but I suspect this standalone bill is just a way to give Democrats cover for passing a defense authorization bill that does not include DADT repeal, and doesn’t have much hope of success.
Bruno
December 11th, 2010
I have 2 major concerns with how this has been going down. The first is that it’s being referred to committee when Lieberman said it wouldn’t be. This may be a non-issue, I don’t know how these procedures actually work. The second is that there seems to be no true sense of urgency, considering the Senate has been adjourned for the weekend. Unless they really think this can go fast.
I did read, however, that it could be voted on by Tuesday or Wednesday, which would be pretty awesome.
Mihangel apYrs
December 11th, 2010
it comes down to: if an LGB is retained because of specialised skills and thence deployed WITHOUT CONCERN FOR COHESION and then allowed to die or return and be expelled, then the US DoD is practising blatent hypocrisy, and the politicians that aren’t talking about it are party to it.
This may be a useful stick to use: ask them why they don’t demand discharge every time, rather than when it’s convenient
Mihangel apYrs
December 11th, 2010
On the substance of this: politicians demand and claim authority in the nation they practice. Is it unreasonable to demand that they commit their time to completing thir tasks rather than accommodating themselves?
Sometimes the thought of the last politician being hanged with his/her own guts is attractive
justsearching
December 12th, 2010
Ahh yes, the honorable Chambliss who endured an entirety of three minutes on the phone with a gay guy to apologize to Joe Jervis for the death threat that emanated from his office, and then endured a few more minutes to alert the press about his honorable act.
I expect absolutely nothing in the way of actual substance on LGBT issues from Chambliss. On the contrary, on this issue he’ll undoubtedly reason and vote like most of his fellow Republicans.
Fingers crossed for a repeal of DADT.
Brieuse
December 13th, 2010
Who would believe that in the year 2010 going on 2011, US of America the Land Of Freedom, is still encouraging discrimination, where my little 3rd world country can actually claim more freedom?
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