Senate majority leader Harry Reid [2]is getting some heat to schedule a firm date for a Don't Ask, Don't Tell vote.
“We are asking of the majority leader the same thing that we believe Senator [Carl] Levin is asking, and that is to schedule the defense authorization bill shortly after the August recess,” said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. “We would like him to make that announcement before the Senate leaves town at the end of next week.”
A Reid spokesperson says there will be a vote in September, but refused to give any certain dates.
Repeal is attached to the defense authorization. In late May the House of Representatives [3] voted on the bill and it passed 234 to 194.
Ahh, but don't get too excited if the Senate does get to this come September. If passed, the bill will go to conference to tweak any differences between the chambers. Then the Senate and House will vote again on what was hammered out in conference. Finally it lands on the president's desk for his signature. You old heads know all of this because of School House Rock [4].
One big stumbling block, not related to repeal, is a new engine for the F-35 Joint Striker Fighter. The White House has warned any bill with funds for that will be vetoed. The House version funded the engine.
You need to keep annoying your elected reps until this thing is done.
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