The Senate has failed to end the Republican filibuster of the National Defense Authorization Act, which contains an amendment to begin the process to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Democrats needed 60 votes to advance the NDAA for debate on the floor. The vote failed 57-40.
Republican Senators who recently expressed public support for repeal but expressed procedural concerns—such as Sens. Scott Brown, Lisa Murkowski, Dick Lugar and Olympia Snowe—voted no. After a heated exchange with Majority Leader Harry Reid on procedure and amendments, Maine Republican Susan Collins voted yes. Collins was the only Republican to support cloture.
Only one Democrat, newly-elected Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, voted no.
The vote means that repeal of the 17-year-old ban is extremely unlikely to be changed by Congress in the next several years.
Working on the roll call ...
I knew this would happen......
Posted by: Isis | 09 December 2010 at 16:51
UGH! When the hell are things going to change. I don't mean to be negative but I'm truly tired of these set backs...I'm a FUCKING American. Born in this country. Pay my DAMN TAXES. I want all my rights. ALL. OF. THEM. I don't need to fight for something that should already be given to me. Do I need to fight for air??? UGH!
Posted by: SamIAm | 09 December 2010 at 17:01
It's like it's all falling apart now. This country is always ran by the conservatives....even when the dems are in power.
Posted by: Trey | 09 December 2010 at 17:14
In honor of today's vote, I think I'll go screw a Marine. He doesn't have to ask, and I won't tell.
Posted by: Ravenback | 09 December 2010 at 17:56
They playing games with people lives.
Posted by: Mel Smith | 09 December 2010 at 22:34
It will be overturned in the Courts and put upon the establishment. It has already been found unconstitutional.
Posted by: Eric | 10 December 2010 at 09:27
If I had been in the Senate, I would have voted against the Defense Authorization Bill myself, but not because of DADT.
Posted by: Jim | 10 December 2010 at 23:49