Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Josh Fimbres
The effort to lift the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian service members, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law had a major setback on Tuesday. Senate Democrats failed to win the 60 votes needed to advance a defense bill that included repeal of the law. The repeal of the policy was included in a defense-spending bill that was defeated in the senate about two weeks ago. The defense spending bill had a projected cost of $726 billion and included funding for a second engine for the F-35 and money for additional C-17 cargo planes. The bill also included the DREAM Act which would have provided a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youths if they attended college or served in the armed forces. Gay rights activists believe this was the best possible opportunity to repeal the measure. The last chance to achieve repeal during this congressional session would take place after the 2010-midterm elections in November. Senator McCain led Senate Republicans in opposition to passage of the bill claiming that it was imperative for action on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell to wait until the internal review currently being undertaken by the Pentagon, which is scheduled to be submitted in December, is completed. The review is to survey the armed forces in regards to repeal and implementation of repeal. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is expected to schedule another vote after the midterm elections. Those in favor of repeal argue that gays serving in the military are being discriminated against and should be allowed to serve openly. Those who argue against the repeal cite troop morale and changes in personnel policy which could disrupt operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as immediate concerns.
Additional Reading
-http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/09/21/republicans-block-dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal/
-http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/09/dont_ask_dont_tell_vote_set_fo_1.html
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