Lieberman: Open Amendment Process Could Usher In DADT Repeal

By Ji Hyun Yoo

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said Thursday that he believes there is enough support to overcome a Republican filibuster on legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” if an open amendment process is provided.

 “I’m confident we have more than 60 votes prepared to take up the defense authorization bill with the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ if only there will be a guarantee of a fair … amendment process,” Lieberman, flanked by numerous Democratic Senators, said during a late morning press conference.

Lieberman added that Republican moderates Susan Collins (R-Me.) and Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) could vote to invoke cloture if the requirement is met.

The Connecticut Senator noted that although the last push to legislatively repeal the controversial policy barring gays from serving openly in the military fell flat, support has not faded.

“The reality is that the movement to end the injustice of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is alive and well, and we are going to keep fighting in the spirit of the American military until we get the job done,” Lieberman said. 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has indicated that the legislation will go to the floor after Congress returns from the Thanksgiving recess.