Senate backers launch last-ditch effort to repeal military gay ban - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room

Image via WikipediaSenate backers launch last-ditch effort to repeal military gay ban - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room

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AFP: Once a safe bet, repeal of gay military ban now in doubt

Image via WikipediaAFP: Once a safe bet, repeal of gay military ban now in doubt

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It's Looking Grim For "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Repeal

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Are hopes dimming on repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'?

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Republicans Up Rhetoric on Eve of DADT Congress...

Republicans Up Rhetoric on Eve of DADT Congress...

GOP Gears up for fight;  Ups rhetoric on eve of Congressional DADT Repeal Vote 

Opponents of overturning the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy are cranking up their rhetoric and threatening roadblocks on multiple fronts, including what promises to be a fierce Senate floor fight, as the tide appears to be turning against them.

Source: rollcall.com

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Elsewhere,  Americans for Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH) director Peter LaBarbera is upping the ante with reports that gays in the military are 3x as likely to commit sexual assault as straights.  

Proponents of repealing the gays in the military policy appear poised to score a major victory today in the Senate Armed Services Committee, where they likely have the votes to attach repeal language to the defense authorization bill.  It is hoped that the  same language  will be adopted even as early as today on the House floor as part of that chamber’s consideration of the defense bill.

As repeal backers gain momentum,  the opposition is revving up its rhetoric:  

Senate Armed Services ranking member John McCain said Thursday that he would “without a doubt” support a filibuster if the bill goes to the floor with language that Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) plans to offer as an amendment during today’s markup.

Source: rollcall.com

Armed Services Republican Sen. Roger Wicker told press  he would support a filibuster if the repeal language makes it into the version of the bill that goes to the floor, possibly during the post-Memorial Day work period.

“If it is adopted, I will not sign the conference report, and there will be an attempt to filibuster the bill on the floor,” the Mississippi Republican said. “It’s a major mistake.”

Source: rollcall.com

Wicker said the repeal is a major transition, and he does not know why the acceleration to vote so early has ensued.  

GOP Senators’ comments became stronger and more heated as Lieberman’s proposal gained traction with members of the Armed Services panel. 

Senator Ben Nelson,  a Nebraska Democrat,  has  said in a statement that he made his decision after speaking with Defense Secretary Robert Gates,  who has given ,  grudgingly,  his consent to repeal language.  

Nelson has said that the policy of "Don't Ask,  Don't Tell"  fosters deceit.  

Senator Jim Webb(D-VA)  Opposed to Amendment

The opposition of the one Armed Services Democrat, Sen. Jim Webb (Va.), who as of Wednesday afternoon was publicly opposed to Lieberman’s amendment,  would be negated by Collins' vote.  

Opponents argue for awaiting the Pentagon review before voting.  

 A  GOP leadership aide predicted that Republicans would take major steps to alter the languaging, and to stress that no vote should be conducted until such time as the Pentagon review has been conducted, and major conclusions drawn as to what effects repeal would produce in the armed forces.  

All Democrats on the panel are expected to support the amendment, with the exception of Sen. Evan Bayh (Ind.) whose vote is undecided.  Sen. Robert Byrd (W.Va.) announced his support late Wednesday

If the repeal language is adopted in the committee,  it is likely to appear in the final legislation because opponents  would need 60 votes to strip it.

Executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Aubrey Sarvis has predicted Republicans would not follow through with filibuster threats.

Reid Vows Support of Repeal Language on Senate  Floor

Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday that he was committed to trying to include the repeal language in the bill that passes the Senate.

The lead House proponent of repeal who insist it has the support to prevail in the chambers is Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.).

Sarvis said a majority of House Democrats favor repeal and predicted that Murphy’s language would be adopted, regardless of whether the vote is before or after Memorial Day.

AFTAH joins in

Elsewhere,  conservatives are also upping the ante:  Americans for the Truth About Homosexuality leader Peter LaBarbera has posted today on his website about "the shocking disproportionate sexual assaults conducted by gays in the military".  

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No Reprimand For General Fighting Repeal of DADT

Lt. General Benjamin Mixon will not be fired for speaking out against repeal of US Military "Don't Ask,  Don't Tell"  policy 

 A high-ranking Army general  has learned that he will not be fired or formally reprimanded after urging troops to lobby against the repeal of a ban on openly gay military service.

Because US President Barack Obama supports repealing the ban on gays in the military,  the General's active fight against repeal could be considered an act of insubordination.  Obama has called for a year-long review of the policy enacted under former President Bill Clinton.  

But the three-star general has learned that he will not receive any letter of reprimand,  nor will his position be in jeoparady.  

John McHugh, US Army Secretary  told press today that Mixon has been told that what he did was inappropriate. McHugh says he considers the matter to be closed.

Earlier this month,  in part of a backlash against the movement for repeal,  US Marines General James Conway had said that if DADT is repealed,  troops should not have to bunk with homosexuals.    

Before that, former NATO Commander John Sheehan had publicly blamed gays in the military for the Dutch army's failure in 1995 with Bosnian Serb forces.  

In February when US Department of Defense Secretary Robert Gates had called for a repeal review of DADT,  the San Francisco Chronicle had predicted a backlash.  

Mixon called on Troops,  Wrote Editors of Paper

Mixon, of Fort Shafter, Hawaii,  had called on troops and their families to contact their superiors and representatives to say that they did not support repeal of the 17 year old policy which bans gays from serving openly in the US military forces. 

 In addition,  Mixon had written  a letter to the editor of Stars and Stripes newspaper saying he didn’t believe that most military personnel would support repeal.   

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both said Mixon’s comments were inappropriate. McHugh said he agreed and that Army chief of staff, General George Casey, had counseled Mixon to this effect.

Mixon now “recognizes the difficulties in appearing to become an advocate in trying to shape the opinion of the force rather than ascertain” its view on the issue, McHugh said.

Source: businessweek.com

Mixon is head of Army forces in the Pacific theater. He had urged troops to 'speak up' and urge political leaders not to repeal the ban.

Source: washingtonpost.com