DADT Repeal Vote May Happen Today
So reports Politico’s Josh Gerstein:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) could attempt to bring the defense budget bill containing conditional repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to the Senate floor on Wednesday, a Senate source close to the discussions about the bill said early Wednesday.
Such a move regarding the National Defense Authorization Act is likely only if other bills Reid has filed cloture motions on fail to muster the necessary 60 votes Wednesday. Those measures include the DREAM act immigration legalization bill, a $250 payment for seniors who set to received no annual Social Security increase next year, a bill to aid September 11 responders and a measure ending the right of states to block unionization of firefighters.
Reid attempted to call up the defense bill containing “don’t ask” repeal language in September, but Republicans objected en masse, complaining that there would not be adequate opportunity for GOP amendments and debate. Two Democrats also rejected the move at that time. It’s unclear whether the defense bill would face the same quick rebuff if Reid attempt to call it up again on Wednesday.
Reid would need four votes to switch for that to happen. So far two Republicans, Susan Collins and Scott Brown, have announced their support for repeal and, just today, Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor announced his support for repeal as well.
