quote:The House on Thursday delivered a victory to President Barack Obama and gay rights groups by approving a proposal to repeal the law that allows gays to serve in the military only if they don't disclose their sexual orientation.
The 234-194 vote to overturn the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy reflected a view among many in Congress that America was ready for a military in which gays and straights can stand side by side in the trenches.
About friggin' time.
Posted by scholarette (Member # 11540) on :
Waiting for the senate before celebrating.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Yeah. The House has passed a ton of stuff this year only to have it go down in flames in the Senate, or be gutted before passing.
It looks like this might get the go-ahead though. It's on a defense appropriations bill, so that might stop a filibuster. And a large majority of the country supports ending the ban, so I don't think opponents can play any populist cards with it. Their best argument is that it goes against what the brass wants, but they bill has included in it that the change won't take effect until after the military review happens.
The only reason opponents are stymieing is because they know that the review is after the mid-terms, and if they can push off the vote until then, there's a good chance it won't pass.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Lyrhawn in essence said what I was thinking. Republicans are already threatening a filibuster, I believe McCain is leading the block.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: Lyrhawn in essence said what I was thinking. Republicans are already threatening a filibuster, I believe McCain is leading the block.
march march march
one by one
into the dustbin of history
Posted by Anthonie (Member # 884) on :
GREAT NEWS!
I wish there weren't so many strings attached for "when" and even "IF". Don't get me wrong, I am ecstatic for this huge movement in the right direction! (Just cautious with expectations.)
Of course this is included: (no benefits for spouses/partners and children of spouses/partners of gay service members )
quote: (d) Benefits- Nothing in this section, or the amendments made by this section, shall be construed to require the furnishing of benefits in violation of section 7 of title 1, United States Code (relating to the definitions of `marriage' and `spouse' and referred to as the `Defense of Marriage Act').
.
and there are a lot of contingents:
quote: (2) OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF REVIEW- The Terms of Reference accompanying the Secretary's memorandum established the following objectives and scope of the ordered review:
(A) Determine any impacts to military readiness, military effectiveness and unit cohesion, recruiting/retention, and family readiness that may result from repeal of the law and recommend any actions that should be taken in light of such impacts.
(B) Determine leadership, guidance, and training on standards of conduct and new policies.
(C) Determine appropriate changes to existing policies and regulations, including but not limited to issues regarding personnel management, leadership and training, facilities, investigations, and benefits.
(D) Recommend appropriate changes (if any) to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
(E) Monitor and evaluate existing legislative proposals to repeal 10 U.S.C. 654 and proposals that may be introduced in the Congress during the period of the review.
(F) Assure appropriate ways to monitor the workforce climate and military effectiveness that support successful follow-through on implementation.
(G) Evaluate the issues raised in ongoing litigation involving 10 U.S.C. 654. .
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by subsection (f) shall take effect 60 days after the date on which the last of the following occurs:
(1) The Secretary of Defense has received the report required by the memorandum of the Secretary referred to in subsection (a).
(2) The President transmits to the congressional defense committees a written certification, signed by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stating each of the following:
(A) That the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have considered the recommendations contained in the report and the report's proposed plan of action.
(B) That the Department of Defense has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by the amendments made by subsection (f).
(C) That the implementation of necessary policies and regulations pursuant to the discretion provided by the amendments made by subsection (f) is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces.
The last stipulation quoted is somewhat worrisome, as I understand that some of the heads of branches of the military (army, marines....) as well as many of the "higher ups" under them are against gays serving openly. The given stipulation could easily provide those opposed to openly gay service members with an indefinite stalling opportunity.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
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