Are Your Senators Among the 43?
Last week, SLDN sent a national action alert displaying Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis's op-ed in the Huffington Post, published September 23. “I’m outraged that the Senate used gay and lesbian service members as political pawns,” Sarvis said in reaction to the Senate's failure to stop a filibuster of the Defense bill, which includes “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal.
Then we turned to you, as your voices rang loud and clear about the disappointing Senate vote. Many of you took action by sending letters to your senators. Here are some letters we’d like to highlight, to guide your own writing this week:
From Dr. Raul Hernandez, Miami, FL:
Dear Senator LeMieux,
Once again, an undeservedly influential minority in the Senate have used gay and lesbian service members as political pawns. Sadly, the ideologically misguided minority has ignored the American people’s overwhelming support for open service in favor of political gaming.
With your help, the Senate’s failure to pass a defense bill has not only failed to protect gay and lesbian service members, but also turned its back on our national security and all of our troops.
Still, I do hope you still have the wisdom to correct this injustice and pass the defense bill during the Senate’s lame-duck session in December.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Dr. Raul Hernandez
PS: Please, do the right thing and do not leave the Senate with this terrible stain on you.
###
From Silvia Hall, Boca Raton, FL:
Dear Senator:
Disappointed is how I feel after hearing about the failure of bringing DADT policy to an end.
Sick and tired of the Senate using gay and lesbian service members as political pawns. They have shamefully ignored the American people’s overwhelming support for open service in favor of political gaming.
The Senate’s failure to pass a defense bill means not just failing to protect gay and lesbian service members, but turning their backs on our national security and all of our troops.
We must right this wrong and pass the defense bill during the Senate’s lame-duck session in December.
When I call the plumber to fix a leak I do not ask him/her their sexual orientation (it is not of my business). The only thing I care is that they do a good job fixing the leaks.
Shame on you!
Silvia Hall
The Senate has acted against the wishes of the American people and against the interest of national security by failing to move forward with debate on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Now, we have 43 senators to hold responsible: 43 senators who voted against allowing the Senate to debate repeal. You can find the list of those senators here.
Write those 43 senators today and tell them that we will not stand for this obstructionism. Failing to support our troops is not an option. We must pass repeal in the Senate’s lame-duck session in December.
09-29-10 By Emily Sussman, Legislative Associate |
3 Comments
Comments for this entry are closed.S&C in Vermont and Afghanistan on October 02, 2010 at 08.34 am
Sanders of Vermont - Responce to DADT
Dear S:
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the Department of Defense’s discriminatory policy, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which governs military service. As a longstanding advocate of all of our nation’s service men and women, I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you.
Senate Republicans recently blocked a vote to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, a military policy banning gays from serving openly in the U.S. armed forces. The vote to end the filibuster of the National Defense Authorization Act - which had provision to repeal this policy - was 56 to 43. Every member of the Republican minority in the Senate voted against ending the filibuster. Sixty votes were needed to overcome the filibuster and move ahead with the legislation.
As you know, I have been a consistent and strong supporter of past efforts to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I was an original co-sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2005, which would have repealed this policy and ensured that those previously separated from the Armed Forces could reenlisted should they desire . S.3065 The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009 - of which I am co-sponsor - was recently introduced within the United States Senate. This bill again seeks to establish a policy of nondiscrimination regarding sexual orientation - which it defines - in the Armed Forces, thereby repealing a 16-year policy held in the Department of Defense. The bill would also authorize the reappointment of otherwise qualified individuals previously discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation.
Since the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy was adopted 16 years ago, it has cost 13,000 service members their military careers. It also has cost the country their valuable service.
Particularly during this time when our military finds itself stretched so thin, I find it irresponsible that we deny thousands of honorable American citizens the opportunity to serve their country. As a nation, we owe those who desire to dedicate their lives to service an equal chance to do so.
Though there is currently no plan to address this issue again in the Senate, please know I will keep your concerns in mind. I believe now is time to end the discrimination.
Again, thank you for contacting me about this important issue. Feel free to contact me again in the future about this or any other subject of interest to you, or for up-to-date information on what my office is working on please visit http://www.sanders.senate.gov. While there, I invite you to sign up for my e-newsletter, the Bernie Buzz, at http://sanders.senate.gov/buzz/. Please be aware that due to security screening procedures, postal mail to my office experiences delays that will lengthen the time it takes me to get back to you. The fastest way to contact my office is by calling 1-800-339-9834.
Sincerely,
BERNARD SANDERS
United States Senator
Rich on September 29, 2010 at 08.43 pm
There is zero chance of DADT repeal in the lame duck session. Democrats in Congress only bring up this possibility as a ploy to get votes in November.
If the math was hard to achieve 60 votes in September, it only gets harder in December after the elections. 3 states will seat their senators immediately after the elections. One of those states, West Virginia, has two candidates running for the open seat who are both against repeal.
Rebecca in Louisiana on September 29, 2010 at 07.32 pm
I just e-mailed Senator Vitter to urge him to change his vote and Senator Landrieu to thank her for voting for the repeal!