"DADT & MREA" Quote of the Day
Information on efforts to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the US Senate forthcoming.
–Service-Members Legal Defense Network website
With much fanfare and self-back-patting, Representative Marty Meehan and the Service-Members Legal Defense Network have, yet again, touted the introduction of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act — which would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — in the House of Representatives.
And, once again, there is no companion bill in the Senate.
Representative Meehan’s press conference:
As a follow up he was asked when and who would sponsor a companion bill in the Senate. No one was sure who would sponsor or when but conceded that one would be introduced before the 2008 elections.
…
The next question then fell to the particulars of the companion bill such as who in the Senate is supportive of introducing legislature [sic]. The already knowns of Ted Kennedy, Russ Feingold, and [Hillary] Clinton were named as supporters.While there is not as of yet a companion bill in the Senate, Dixon Osburn expects one this year but there has not been anyone named as of yet to sponsor such legislation.
So, bottom line, “full of House and fury, signifying nothing.”
Meanwhile, a SLDN spokesperson responding to my comment in this post:
There WILL be companion legislation in the Senate in 2007. That’s likely to be introduced in the Spring, and will mark the first time the Senate has considered a bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” since the law was first implemented in 1993. Stay tuned for information on which Senators will sponsor the legislation.
Oh I’m staying tuned alright. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy the dead air.
My problem of course is not with Representative Meehan or with the SLDN. My problem is with every Democratic Senator who takes the gay vote for granted while doing little if anything for gay rights.
Senators such as Hillary “Armed Services Committee” Clinton and Barack “Veteran Affairs Committee” Obama.
—
On the inevitable presidential veto should a bill actually reach his desk?
I asked the Rep. what he thought he chances were of support from the President and he basically didn’t have much of an answer other than it’s important to focus on the short term goals.
Discuss.
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I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the Democrats to act on this. They will use the fact that they "symbolically filed the legislation" in just one house as window-dressing for the fact that they intend no real action on any of this stuff.
Just remember, the same Democrats who were too busy with "important things" to make a real effort with this bill, today, were able to rename four federal buildings this month in both houses. They've clearly got their priorities in order!
This morning, White House spokesman Tony Snow told The Washington Times that, "We will see what happens if Congress comes up with something," responding to questions about Congressman Meehan's legislation.
On the Senate side, there is no doubt that Senate legislation is forthcoming. The problem is not with finding a Senator willing to lead the charge, but instead the delay is the result of working to line all of our allies up on the Senate side and sort out who will play what role. There is no shortage of supportive Senators on the issue, and many are anxious to get to work on legislation there. That is very close to happening, and Senate legislation will be a reality in 2007.