Senators to call for full-court press on 'Don't ask, don't tell' repeal

[cal04]

Source: The Hill

Some of the chief supporters of repealing the ban on openly gay people serving in the military are upping their pressure on Congress to scrap the law this year.

Nine senators will be joined by the nation’s most prominent gay rights organizations on Thursday to make the case that Congress should repeal the Clinton-era law, known as “Don’t ask, don’t tell,” as part of the massive 2011 defense authorization bill.

Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Roland Burris (D-Ill.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Al Franken (D-Minn.) will hold a press conference at the Capitol Visitors Center at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. They will be joined by representatives from the Human Rights Campaign; the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network; Servicemembers United; the Center for American Progress Action Fund, and the Third Way.

Repeal still faces an uphill battle in Congress because of opposition from key Republicans, including Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) who said he would filibuster a defense bill that contains the provision. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a key supporter of repeal, said that he would hold hearings immediately after the Pentagon releases a report on the implications of repealing the ban. That report is due Dec. 1.



Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/129767-senators-to-call-for-full-court-press-on-dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-

[elocs]

1. Wow, Joe Lieberman. One of DU's favorite non-Republican whipping boys.

I wonder if this will be remembered next flagellation time?

[Big Orange Jeff]

2. McCain? Filibuster? I say, "Let him".

I'd love to see that old fart try to speak for 26 hours straight. Wouldn't he need to go eat dinner around 4:30 in the afternoon?

[Dragonfli]

3. Reid is scared shitless of filibusters, won't make him actually do it

Just has to say he will, that has been the rule: Threaten a filibuster and get a "gentleman's filibuster" and your way without really doing it.
Very sad.