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.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Stalled In The Senate

Senate Democrats Tuesday failed to secure the 60 votes needed to sidestep a Republican filibuster staged against a provision within this year’s Defense Authorization bill that would grant the President the authority to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

The vote to invoke cloture secured 56 votes, with GOP Moderates Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Me.), and Susan Collins (R-Me.) both withholding their support. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) ultimately changed his vote to No in a procedural move that would allow the Senate to take up the legislation again. 43 Senators, including Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), voted against the bill.

The language in the $726 billion appropriations bill concerning Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the policy that currently bars gay men and women from serving in the military openly, requires certification from both the Defense Secretary and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before the policy is altered. Still, opponents of the policy’s repeal accused Democrats of moving too quickly on the decision.

“The Senate should not be forced to make this decision now before we have heard from our troops,” Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the Ranking Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on the floor, referring to a study commissioned by the Pentagon on how to effectively repeal the policy.

Republicans have also balked at a provision in the bill that would allow female servicewomen to receive abortions on military installations as well as Democratic plans to include amend the legislation to include the DREAM Act, which would allow immigrants who serve in the military or attend college to more easily qualify for citizenship.

Studies Show More Service Members Open To Ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

By Sofia Sanchez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

A new poll released Wednesday by the Center for American Progress (CAP) shows the general public is less opposed to allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the U.S. military. 54 percent of those surveyed said they support repealing the current policy, compared to 35 percent who were opposed.

“It’s safe to say that it is no longer a question of if the ["Don't Ask Don't Tell"] policy will be repealed, but how,” said Senior Vice President for external affairs at CAP Winnie Stachelberg during a conference call with reporters on Wednesday.

Yet another poll shows there is also a shift of support for the repeal among active military members.

“Attitudes are changing among career oriented service members,” said Brendan McGarry, of Military Times, who also took part in Wednesday's call.

A study conducted by Military Times shows attitudes are shifting in support of allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly. 30 percent of active-duty military members support ending "Don't Ask Don't Tell." That number is up compared to 2003 when only 24 percent supported open service.

The Military Times study also found that two percent of active duty members identify themselves as being gay or bisexual. In addition, the study also found that women in the military were three times more likely than men to report being gay or bisexual.

“The military will be stronger, not weaker if this change is made,” said Stan Greensberg, with the public research group Greenberg Quinlan Rosner.

For more information on The Center for American Progress study visit: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/02/dadt_poll.html

For more information on The Military Times study visit: http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2010/02/military_dont_ask_dont_tell_021510w/