Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal, Dream Act Fail In Senate Vote

Even Lady Gaga can't convince Senators to repeal DADT

Earlier today, the GOP successfully filibustered the Department of Defense authorization bill, with the Senate voting 56-43 mostly party lines, with Democrats voting for the bill which included the repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and offering young immigrants a path to citizenship with the Dream Act. The NY Times explains, "Senate Republicans voted unanimously to block debate on the bill — the huge, annual authorization of military programs — after the majority leader, Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, said he would attach a number of the Democrats’ election-year priorities to it while also moving to limit the amendments offered by Republicans."

Arkansas Democrats Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor voted with the 40 Republican Senators; Alaska's Linda Murkowski did not vote, while Reid switched his vote to no, which means he'll be able to ask for a revote later. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who supports repealing DADT, said, "For the life of me, I do not understand why the majority leader does not bring this bill to the floor and allow free and open debate and amendments from both sides of the aisle."

Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) said it was "a blatant and cynical attempt to galvanize the Hispanic vote in the case of the DREAM Act and to also energize the gay and lesbian vote in the case of 'don't ask, don' t tell." (The Dream Act gives legal residency to young immigrants who serve two years in the military or spend two years in college.)

Here are some comments from local politicians and activists on the vote:

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer:

I am deeply disappointed that not one single Republican Senator voted to commence debate on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the repeal of which is supported even amongst high-ranking military officials. Once again, crucial legislation continues to fall victim to the Republican Party’s policy of election-year obstructionism.

We will continue to fight for the repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell," a military policy that institutionalizes discrimination against gay men and women, and silences so many of our brave men and women in uniform.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand:

“For nearly two decades, we’ve discharged thousands of America’s best, brightest and bravest on immoral and unconstitutional grounds. The military's ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell’ policy undermines the integrity of our military, hurts our national security, and contradicts the moral foundation upon which this country was founded.

“The continuous obstructionism is wrong and must end.

“It has been more than nine years since 9/11 and the Senate still has failed to move forward on legislation to provide health care for the thousands of first responders who served at Ground Zero and survivors living in the area. It is time to seize every opportunity to pass this legislation. This should not be a partisan issue. We have an undeniable moral obligation to pass this legislation and provide care to the thousands of heroes and survivors, who are suffering and dying.

“It is time for us in Congress to do what’s right, restore integrity to our armed forces, put our national security before politics and ideology, and keep our promise to the heroes of this country who came to our rescue on 9/11.”

Make the Road New York's Francisco Curiel:

"We are extremely disappointed that several Senators stood in the way of a common sense bill that would benefit our country and help thousands of youth. This vote makes it very clear that Republicans and Democrats who voted against the DREAM Act voted against Latino youth and their families."

Service Employees International Union's Hector Figueroa, who is 32BJ Secretary Treasurer:

“Denying students the opportunity to stay legally in the USA is not only morally wrong but economically dim-witted. By blocking passage of the DREAM Act the GOP has left hundreds of thousands of highly motivated students and future entrepreneurs, doctors and scientists in a state of limbo that will take a toll in our “high-skills-hungry” economy.”

With more than 120,000 members in eight states, 32BJ is the largest property service workers union in the country.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on September 21, 2010 6:15 PM

Comments [rss]

Abe Gurko

Don't Ask? DO Tell! Read More @IMeanWhat http://bit.ly/hBwcIn

potsmoker

i always thought gays were allowed in the military?

all my gay porn is the military genre.

theplanetofchuck

Why should I care about this, I feel like I should but I just don't, then I get infuriated thinking about all the time that is being wasted for other issues? Honest Question.

robingee

Because the world is bigger than your bedroom, chuck.

theplanetofchuck

I didn't ask for a smart ass retort, I asked an honest question as to why this is a fundamental issue to gay rights. I would guess that gay marriage would seem more important which I am all for and despise those that oppose it so vehemently.

robingee

It's a big deal because we are saying to gay people, "You can fight and die for us, but you have to keep your sexuality a secret." Do straight people have to do this, or people of different religions? Its another way to keep another human being down. I don't know why this was even implemented... what exactly is the point?

lizzie d

Ya, it's not like they are saying they can't serve.. They are saying not to say anything about their sexuality. Is that really a big deal? Do we really need to shove sexuality into people's faces? These laws are for their own protection! You guys must not have ever been around military machismos...Sheesh. What exactly is the point of going: I'm gay! I'm gay! Is it really that HORRIBLE to not be able to say "I'm Gay?" Safety first, sexuality second. Is it really that bad? Until everyone in the world is ok with everyone's sexuality (and living and showering with it) it's not going to be ok to just come out to just anyone, for your own safety. Is that really too hard to handle?

robingee

>>> Do we really need to shove sexuality into people's faces? These laws are for their own protection! You guys must not have ever been around military machismos >>>

Holy Hell... so it's OKAY that people who you are serving with and who are ON THE SAME TEAM might not like that you are gay and might beat you up or do something to you so YOU have to keep quiet so that you don't BOTHER them? Who is "shoving" anything into anyone's faces? If someone mentions they are married is that "shoving" marriage into my face? If someone wants to mention their boyfriend or girlfriend they shouldn't have to worry that another soldier (who is supposed to have LOYALTY and HONOR) will beat them up or say something horrible.

How can people not understand this? Perhaps you have grown up with parents who said certain things to you and you think that is the only way to be, but there are SO many other kinds of people and SO many ways of thinking you really must broaden yourself and find compassion.

JenChungsBaby

We need a Don't Ask Don't Tell parade.

ktinnyc

"Why should I care about this"

If you don't care about human rights than you're right not to care about this issue.

henryhamilton

Lady Gaga is a megalomaniac, and she did more harm than good. If any conservative or moderate was thinking about coming over to the light, they would have been scared off at the prospect of being associated with the likes of her. Famous people and their possibly coke-fueled delusions of grandeur are an impediment to progress.

robingee

No one is changing their mind on this issue because of Lady Gaga. No one is NOT changing their mind on this issue because of Lady Gaga. She is using her celebrity to bring attention to an issue she believes in (which has been done countless times by countless famous people) and anyone who is reasonable and smart already AGREES with her stance, whether they like her music or not. Because they have already figured it out and are not swayed by celebrity opinions.

FelixtheCat Christine Quinns

Lady GAG made the issue comical. We need civil rights leaders to speak on behalf of the issue, not some meat wearing freak. where is cannibal???

Guest

You are a complete snorefest!

robingee

Oh come on, haven't there been enough "freaky" musicians throughout the years that we can't just get over it by now? Beatles, Elvis, Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, every generation has this and there are always people yelling "FREAKS!" and time and again they have proven to be intelligent and even ground-breaking artists. Let's get over it already.

That being said, celebrities who bring attention to important issues is always a good thing. When has it ever been a bad thing? This is all been done before.

Guest

Exactly!

Guest

Really? You're going to go that route? I know you're putting down cocaine as a way to put down Lady Gaga, but Sigmund Freud was able to develop the science of the mind by ingesting cocaine. The DNA helix was figured out by someone on LSD.

For a megalomaniac, she's done more for other people than you probably have. In fact, she had some troops accompany her at the MTV awards. What other entertainer has ever done that? Go back to eating your Wheaties and believing yourself to be awesome.

henryhamilton

OK. The cocaine remark was a cheap shot, but the fact remains she was an impediment to the passage of this bill. She scared off votes. Only the most liberal politicians can afford to be associated with her, especially with an election coming up and the liberal votes were guaranteed. She can only preach to the choir. She was not an effective advocate for this cause. Worse than useless. She may have actually SUNK IT.

Good luck with the fan club membership drive. Skippy.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

LOL, he is simple-minded

Guest

I'm guessing you're referring to me. The problem with what you said is that, in the small amount of time that I've been a member of this site, I have more than once rebuked things you've said with more eloquence and high-mindedness than you will ever accomplish in a lifetime. It actually makes me sad that you will never comprehend that or use it to elevate your own speech and ideals.