'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' (DADT) vote delayed until Thursday
Wed. December 8, 2010 1:32 PM by Jay Shaff
Gay advocacy groups put the pressure on
Washington, DC -
On Wednesday night, the Senate postponed a vote on the Defense Authorization bill, which includes the repeal of the controversial anti-gay "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a moderate, said that other Republicans needed more time to make a decision. She also said that Republicans generally believed the Senate should vote on the tax compromise first.
Following release of the Pentagon study and subsequent hearings last week, a number of undecided Republicans and a few conservative Democrats have indicated they will probably support the Clinton era bills repeal.
The favorable study, testimony and support from Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen helped undecided Senators make a decision.
With a vote looming, groups including the Human Rights Campaign, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and the Courage Campaign have been furiously emailing gay constituents urging them to call undecided Senators such as Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Illinois).
"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is actively reaching out to his Republican colleagues to reach an agreement on how to proceed. We also know from Hill sources the President is actively working today's vote with key Republican senators. Today the Senate has an opportunity to make the nation's defense funding and our service members a higher priority than tax cuts for millionaires," said Aubrey Sarvis, U.S. Army veteran and executive director for SLDN.
"So now, it's up to us. We've got to pressure wavering senators and give those supporting repeal the public backing they need to keep the Senate in business" said HRC President Joe Solmonese in an early morning email. "We can't let the Senate close up shop without repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' But we're running out of time – please call your senators now."
Rick Jacobs of the Courage Campaign said in his email: "This may be our last chance to kill DADT before the Republicans take over the House of Representatives, putting repeal on ice for years to come. That's why we are asking you to drop what you are doing right now and call your senators. Even if you think your senators support repeal, we need you to call them right now and make sure they will support repeal. Phones need to be ringing off the hook across Congress."
You can call Sen. Richard Durbin at (202) 224-2152 and Sen. Mark Kirk at (202) 224-2854.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a moderate, said that other Republicans needed more time to make a decision. She also said that Republicans generally believed the Senate should vote on the tax compromise first.
Following release of the Pentagon study and subsequent hearings last week, a number of undecided Republicans and a few conservative Democrats have indicated they will probably support the Clinton era bills repeal.
The favorable study, testimony and support from Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen helped undecided Senators make a decision.
With a vote looming, groups including the Human Rights Campaign, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and the Courage Campaign have been furiously emailing gay constituents urging them to call undecided Senators such as Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Illinois).
"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is actively reaching out to his Republican colleagues to reach an agreement on how to proceed. We also know from Hill sources the President is actively working today's vote with key Republican senators. Today the Senate has an opportunity to make the nation's defense funding and our service members a higher priority than tax cuts for millionaires," said Aubrey Sarvis, U.S. Army veteran and executive director for SLDN.
"So now, it's up to us. We've got to pressure wavering senators and give those supporting repeal the public backing they need to keep the Senate in business" said HRC President Joe Solmonese in an early morning email. "We can't let the Senate close up shop without repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' But we're running out of time – please call your senators now."
Rick Jacobs of the Courage Campaign said in his email: "This may be our last chance to kill DADT before the Republicans take over the House of Representatives, putting repeal on ice for years to come. That's why we are asking you to drop what you are doing right now and call your senators. Even if you think your senators support repeal, we need you to call them right now and make sure they will support repeal. Phones need to be ringing off the hook across Congress."
You can call Sen. Richard Durbin at (202) 224-2152 and Sen. Mark Kirk at (202) 224-2854.