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Loading ...NY Sen. to introduce bill to stop gay military discharges?
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) may introduce a bill in the Senate later this week to put an 18-month moratorium on discharges under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
It would be the first time since the vote on the military ban in 1993 that Senators would be forced to publicly state their stand on gays and lesbians serving in the military.Jason Bellini reports in the Daily Beast that Gillibrand may introduce her amendment on Tuesday to the Defense reauthorization bill.
The Daily Beast reports:
“If the amendment were to pass, gay-rights leaders expect it would stand a strong chance of being approved by the House and could be signed into law by President Obama, who has expressed his desire for the ban to be lifted. Rep. Patrick Murphy is trying to build support for a bill that has already been introduced in the House that would repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Isn’t this the same defense spending bill Obama was already threatening to veto because it funds more F-22’s?
My gosh, a politician with a semblance of a backbone! Remember, some folk wanted Princess Caroline Kennedy to have. Can you imagine if Senator Gillibrand had not been placed into this seat, we would not even have this!
I fear that Obama will not sign the bill unless it has lots of padding in it so that he does not have to defend all us nasty gay folk.
This is a bad idea. All it does is push the debate back to a time when Obama will have less political capital.
My worry about a moratorium is that it really does not put an end to a bad policy— and if the Republicans were to regain control of congress in two years, there is a very real possibility they may move to restore either “Don’t ask; don’t tell (just lie)” or the old policy of a complete ban on LGBT people serving in the military unless we lie about our identify. Canada and United Kingdom already allow openly Gay persons to serve in the military. The issue has been studied long enough. End the ban. Period!
More underwhelming advocacy from the political party that could rightfully claim itself to be the new GOP. We’ve traded an elephant for a jackass otherwise it’s all the same — a half-measure of “promised” social justice. And it’s all over that Obama’s big poll numbers are way down…he squandered his window of opportunity and soon he’ll come sheepishly back, smiling, reminding us that he’s our “fierce advocate.”
So what happens to servicemembers who come out during the 18-month moratorium if DADT is not repealed before it expires? Do they get discharged after the moratorium expires? Do they get an 18-month “grace period” when they can be out, and then have to go back in the closet once it expires?
This one is getting under my skin. Just attach a repeal of DADT to a military funding bill, and let the Republicans,and religious conservatives explain why they won’t adequately support our troops…
At least she has the balls to do this, and even a lot of Republicans support the repeal of this. It’s getting ridiculous, and anyone who defends DADT is just stupid, plain and simple.
“I’ll be your fierce champion. Just not now… maybe in 187 months? Let’s see…”
There’s no need for a special bill to accomplish this. Obama can do it all by himself through an executive order. He just needs one thing to do it. Let me see . . . what’s it called again? Oh yeah, leadership.
This will effectively end the fight to repeal DADT. All this will do is take it, and put it on the back burner. We will here “We have ____ number of months to do it.”, for the next 18 months.
Way to punt, Democrats!
Sean: Because this is easier to get through Congress than a bill repealing DADT.
Congress is busy working on other things at the moment, and this could be moved through by year’s end; a repeal of DADT isn’t practical unless we put a hold to other things that are, frankly, more important.
Kari- he would sign it if it reached his desk.
I don’t see why this legistration is necessary. Instead wasting time, why don’t Congress just vote to repeal DADT now, keep gays currently serving and then let the military decide to fully open to everone shortly.
If this does arrive at Obama’s desk and he doesn’t sign it, he can kiss any chance of getting the gay vote again goodbye.