Posted on 12/18/2010 7:35:51 AM PST by Red Steel
The Senate will act on two important pieces of President Obama's progressive legislative agenda today: the DREAM Act and the repeal of the military's ban on openly gay servicemembers. By the end of the day, the path to final passage is expected to be set for DADT repeal, while DREAM is expected to languish for another Congress to pass.
Starting at around 10:30 this morning, the Senate will take up a cloture vote on DREAM. Cloture -- voted in by a 60-senator super majority -- is required to cut off debate and move a bill to final passage in the Senate. DREAM, which would provide legal status for illegal immigrants who serve in the military or earn college degrees, is not expected to hit that mark, effectively scrapping the bill for the time being.
That will set the stage for a cloture vote on a standalone DADT repeal bill, which proponents say is destined for passage. That will be the first step toward ending the nearly two-decade practice of allowing gays and lesbians to serve in the military, but not if anyone who works with them knows they're gay. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), who has been the driving force behind lining up the votes for DADT repeal, says he has the 60 he needs and most observers expect there to be little drama today.
Lieberman and his allies in the Democratic caucus are expected to get help repealing DADT from at least four Republicans -- Sens. Scott Brown (MA), Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Olympia Snowe (ME). Most of the rest of the GOP caucus is expected to vote against it, though Lieberman said yesterday that the bill may pick up support from the GOP as it heads toward final passage.
On the Democratic side, Sen. Joe Manchin (WV) has not said whether he'll support the standalone bill -- and he voted against repeal the last time it came up, as part of a defense spending bill last week. Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), who voted for cloture on the spending bill, has also not said how he'll vote. Proponents of repeal say they don't need either vote to win today.
Supposing cloture is reached (which, again, is all but a foregone conclusion according to supporters of repeal), a final vote on the bill to end DADT could come as early as today. More likely than not, however, 30 hours of final debate on the measure will be kicked off by the cloture vote. That puts a final repeal vote sometime late Sunday.
The House already passed its version of the standalone DADT repeal (as well as DREAM, for what it's worth) which means that if the Senate passes the repeal this weekend it will go straight to the president's desk for likely signature.
Stay tuned throughout the day for live updates on the happenings here on Capitol Hill.
can you update me please as I can’t view videos here to see the TV
I am on the phone though still calling these traitors while I;m shaking with anger and frustration.
SHERROD BROWN (OH) must be DEFEATED in 2012.
DORGAN, CONDRAD, too.
the homosexuals will then argue the can die for country but not marry argument. (see also booze)
This is a blood vote.
The DADT vote is going to come down to Snowe, MooCowski, Manchin, and Conrad.
And Brown
Murky just voted for DADT
called and got two others to call and told her that this is a message form troops in a war,
do not repeal don’t ask
just getting to Brown and told them that vets and soldiers, marines should be heard
Snowe chatting with lieberman.
Snowe and Lincoln voted yes.
For it is WE...the Republican base, who vote in primaries for the Republican who is most favored by the MSM.
We cannot bring ourselves to vote for a candidate that actually fights, has battle scars, ie, has “baggage” from bad press.
We ALWAYS choose the one who draws the least criticism.
Therefore, Republican officeholders and Pres. primary winners tend to be weak and meek....just like us!
Before you vote on “Don’t Ask – Don’t Tell” you should be able to clearly answer the following:
“What does it mean to be openly gay in the military?”
By voting to repeal, it can probably be assumed that you are condoning consenting sexual encounters in the shower or the barracks.
It means that the gay lifestyle language and physical mannerisms may be displayed while in uniform and that ‘flippy’ salutes must be tolerated.
It means that cross dressing on off duty hours is acceptable when visiting social establishments on post.
And surely it means that any objection to the above will be met with instant litigation and possible charges brought against those in command.
Why else would this bill be necessary?
Senator, please explain to the American public how these possibilities may be addressed before you help democrats pass this ridiculous law.
Sherrod Brown (OH) will meet the exact same fate in 2012 as Strickland and Driehaus did this past November.
Ensign no
That’s DREAM failing to achieve cloture. I guess it doesn’t technically kill the bill depends on if Reid decides to continue debate.
Sherrod knows he’s toast. He’s now just trying to set up a nice liberal place to land.
We won. :)
is anyone counting?
DADT passed.
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