The Latest on the Senate and Repealing DADT
SLDN’s focus is on the U.S. Senate. With a successful vote in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee, we’re working with our partners on the Hill to move “Don’t’ Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal to the Senate floor. The language that repeals Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is in an amendment proposed by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Lieberman/Levin Amendment was officially added to the NDAA in committee, so now we need the entire Senate to pass the NDAA, with the Lieberman Amendment included.
The Senate is working on a packed calendar before they break for August recess (hint, hint, perfect opportunity for you at home to schedule a meeting with the Senator in-state!). The Senate has successfully passed Financial Reform, is working to confirm Solicitor General Elana Kagen to the Supreme Court, and is considering an energy bill. The good news is that the NDAA is ready to go to the floor for debate, but the bad news is that the crowded schedule makes it challenging to find the time. We are using this as an opportunity to continue to lobby Senate offices and remind them on the importance of keeping the Lieberman language in the bill.
Happening today, Carte Goodwin, a replacement for the late Senator Robert Byrd is expected to be sworn in. SLDN released a statement late Friday: “SLDN looks forward to working closely with Mr. Goodwin and we remain hopeful that the new senator from West Virginia will follow Senator Byrd's lead on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" by working closely with Chairman Levin as the DOD bill moves to the floor of the U. S. Senate."
Out on the frontlines in the states, we are continuing to push a letter writing campaign to the senators home offices. We sent out an action alert to all 50 states on June 16th encouraging people to write letters of support to their senators. Tell your own story, or print out one of the “Stories from the Frontlines” (http://www.sldn.org/letters) and send it in to show why you support DADT repeal. The more they hear from you, the better chance we have of getting their vote!
07-19-10 By Emily Sussman, Legislative Associate |
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