Filibuster Unlikely To Affect Pentagon Study On DADT Repeal

The Senate’s filibuster against the Defense Authorization bill, staged in part due to language on the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, will not affect the Pentagon commissioned review on how to best wind-down the controversial policy currently barring openly gay soldiers from military service.

“What occurred yesterday in the Senate was an internal, legislative, procedural matter. It doesn’t change our efforts,” Pentagon spokesperson Col. David Lapan told reporters Wednesday. “The working group continues to complete their task.”

The study, which will in part measure the effects the repeal will have on military readness and unit cohesion, is scheduled to be delivered to the Defense Secretary in early December.

The review includes a survey issued to U.S. servicemen and women. According to Lapan, 115,000 were returned, marking a response rate of 29 percent.

“People who do this for a living tell us that this is above what a normal response rate is,” Lapan noted.

Efforts to sidestep a filibuster Tuesday only received support from 57 Senators, landing short of the 60 procedurally needed to open the legislation up for formal debate. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, used the ongoing study to defend his opposition.

“The Senate should not be forced to make this decision now before we have heard from our troops,” McCain said from the floor of the upper chamber.