Push back on the opposition now

SLDN sent a nationwide action alert asking members and supporters to call their Senators and urge them to back repeal and follow the lead of Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) to resist any attempts to strike or weaken repeal language in the Defense Authorization bill.

Repeal advocates have made significant progress this past year, especially in late May, but we could still lose the fight to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

The first repeal vote on the floor of the Senate could come as soon as later this month. And we need your help to show the Senate there is strong support for repeal.

The repeal language in the Defense Authorization bill is at risk of being filibustered, stripped out, or weakened by our opponents when the full Senate votes. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has threatened to filibuster the entire defense budget to stop repeal. SLDN and the repeal coalition is working to secure a filibuster-proof, 60-vote majority so that the defense bill can be acted on.

SLDN and the repeal coalition will work with Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) to fend off these threats to repeal.

But we can't do this alone.

The repeal coalition needs supporters like you in each state to call both of your Senators today. The time to push back on the opposition is now.

Call both your Senators today and tell them to support repeal and follow the lead of Senator Carl Levin on any attempts to strike repeal or weaken the language.

(202) 224-3121

Although the Defense Authorization bill is considered "must-pass" legislation, that won't stop opponents of open service from trying to turn the Senate's upcoming votes on the defense bill into a political showdown.

We have to stand up and tell our Senators we need their votes. Our gay and lesbian troops deserve their support.

Call your Senators today and urge them to support Senator Levin and follow his lead when harmful amendments may be offered by opponents.

(202) 224-3121

Thank you.

Aubrey Sarvis
SLDN Executive Director