Jason Bellini
The Daily Beast
After determining she didn’t have enough votes in support of a temporary suspension of the ban on gays in the military, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand tells The Daily Beast she has secured the commitment of Senate Armed Services Committee to hold hearings on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” this fall. It would be the first formal re-assessment of the policy since Congress passed it into law in 1993.
A statement from the Gillibrand’s office, shared exclusively with The Daily Beast, notes that “265 men and women have been unfairly dismissed from the Armed Forces since President Barack Obama took office.”
Gillibrand’s fast-track proposal for halting DADT, an amendment to the Military Reauthorization Act that would have ordered the Defense secretary to stop investigating gay service members, was never introduced. Even with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid expressing his support, Gillibrand couldn’t gather the 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster, according to a spokesperson.
“I thought it was a long shot from the very beginning,” says Aubrey Sarvis, executive director the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an organization fighting for the end of DADT.
“Clearly one of the positive things that came out of the Gillibrand amendment was that it served as a catalyst for hearings,” he added.
| Cindy |
July 27th, 2009 11:24 am ET What exactly is hearings going to do on this DADT matter? Absolutely nothing! This is just another example of congress wasting our time and money. If they wanted to they could have a vote and stop DADT but they don't want it stopped. If they don't have the votes now to overturn it I doubt these hearings will change anyones mind on this matter. As far as that goes Obama could stop DADT himself yet we see he's not doing anything either and he won't it seems. Cindy..Ga. |
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| Arachnae |
July 27th, 2009 12:33 pm ET As far as that goes Obama could stop DADT himself yet we see he’s not doing anything either and he won’t it seems. A President can not unilaterally overturn a law passed by congress. He can reverse an executive order, but DADT is a law. |
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| Dale |
July 27th, 2009 12:37 pm ET Wow Cindy, why are you so upset? Unfortunately sometimes things do take time. While I would prefer DADT were simply rescinded right now, the world we live in has certain realities. At least they are talking about it. I truly hope it will be rescinded within 1 year. I also wish Obama would stop enforcement of DADT in the meantime. We didn't get where we are today in one fell swoop. |
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