House to vote on standalone DADT repeal

Timothy Kincaid

December 14th, 2010

One of the difficulties that could arise from the Lieberman/Collins effort in the US Senate to vote on a standalone bill to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is that the House repeal effort was by means of the defense authorization bill. Now Democratic leader Steny Hoyer and Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy are setting about to alleviate that concern. (AP)

A stand-alone bill to overturn the military ban on openly gay troops has been introduced by Collins and Lieberman in the hopes that the slimmed-down version would attract fewer objections.

But that bill had been considered a long-shot because any Senate action would require House approval with just days before Congress was to adjourn.

The last-minute House vote would eliminate that concern and put pressure on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to keep the Senate in session past this weekend to wrap up any unfinished business.

When we were told that making the repeal part of the defense bill was the only way to get it passed, I supported that decision. But I particularly like the idea of the standalone; it eliminates the ability of legislators to weasel or claim that it was “other provisions of the bill” that they didn’t support.

UPDATE: WaPo’s Jonathan Capehart adds info about the advantages of this bill.

The beauty of Hoyer’s move is that, once passed, the bill would go over to the Senate as a privileged motion. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) would be compelled to move on it. Another good reason? The privileged motion allows the time to be cut in half. Only one cloture vote would be necessary to end debate, which should be limited for reasons I’ll address in a second. Then an up-or-down vote would be held. With the chamber having gotten 60 votes to close debate on the bill, a voice vote most likely would be held. The measure would then head to President Obama for his signature.

johnathan

December 14th, 2010

“But I particularly like the idea of the standalone; it eliminates the ability of legislators to weasel or claim that it was ‘other provisions of the bill’ that they didn’t support.”

Agreed. This is how the DADTDP repeal bill should have been introduced and gone about in the first place.

Bernie

December 14th, 2010

And the AP just reported that they could vote on it by tomorrow…

They are pressing Harry Reid to keep the Senate in session thru the early part of next week so Obama can sign it.

tristram

December 14th, 2010

Can you re-post contact info for the swing Senators? Maybe keep it on your front page while the legislation still has a chance??

customartist

December 15th, 2010

Reid allowed the first vote in order for objectors to voice their concerns as being about the Military Portion.

NOW they will put up or shut up!

Now is the time to call your Senators and tell them to “Pass DADT Repeal or be voted out in the next elections.

Brown especially should be held to his word.

(202)224-3121

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

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