Senate advances "don’t ask, don’t tell" repeal bill
The U.S. Senate voted 63-33 on Saturday, Dec. 18, to advance a measure that would repeal the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian servicemembers.
"Gay, lesbian and bisexual service members posted around the world are standing a little taller today, but they're still very much at risk because repeal is not final," said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.
Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, also applauded the cloture vote.
"Today, America lived up to its highest ideals of freedom and equality. Congress recognized that all men and women have the right to openly serve their country," he said. "Plenty of people had already planned the funeral for this legislation. Today, we pulled out a victory from what was almost certain defeat just a few days ago. We are grateful to President Obama, Majority Leader Reid and Sens. Lieberman, Collins and countless others for their dogged determination to repeal DADT."
Senators Scott Brown [R-Mass.], Susan Collins [R-Maine], Olympia Snowe [R-Maine], Lisa Murkowski [R-Alaska], Mark Kirk [R-Ill.] and George Voinovich [R-Ohio] broke ranks with their fellow Republicans and voted to advance the measure, which essentially guarantees "don't ask, don't tell" will be repealed.
Senator Joseph Lieberman [I-Conn.] evoked the founding fathers in defense of the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." "'Don't ask, don't tell' is inconsistent with American values," he said, noting the Pentagon has discharged 14,000 servicemembers under the policy since then-President Bill Clinton signed it into law in 1993. "These people simply want to serve their country."
Senator Mark Udall [D-Colo.] stressed the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" would enhance national security. Senator Dianne Feinstein [D-Calif.] said "courage, competence and a willing to serve" should be the basic qualifications to serve in the military. And U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand blasted "don't ask, don't tell" as a "corrosive policy."
"I cannot think of a policy that greater undermines the integrity of our military," she said. "If you care about our national security; if you care about our military readiness; you will repeal this corrosive policy."
Senator James Inhofe [R-Okla.] defended "don't ask, don't tell" as an effective law, while U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss [R-Ga.] blasted the process that brought the measure to the floor. Senator John McCain [R-Ariz.] accused Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid [D-Nev.] of advancing a social agenda during the lame duck session, but he conceded the "don't ask, don't tell" repeal bill would pass.
"I am confident with this repeal, the military-the best in the world-will salute and do the best they can to carry out the orders of their commander-in-chief," said McCain. "They will do what is asked of them, but I don't think it won't be at great cost. I hope when we pass this legislation, they [realize] we are doing great damage."
The U.S. Senate also voted on the Dream Act, a measure that would allow undocumented children to earn their residency upon completion of two years in the military or in college, but the bill failed in a 55-41 vote.
A report the Pentagon released late last month concluded the repeal "don't ask, don't tell" would not have any long-term impact on the military. The House passed a DADT repeal bill in a 250-175 vote on Wednesday, Dec. 15.
President Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates have repeatedly stressed their support of the end of "don't ask, don't tell."