Republicans Block Bill to Lift Military Gay Ban
- Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:16pm by
Scott Baker
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AP
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Republicans have blocked an effort to repeal the law banning gays from serving openly in the military.
The partisan vote was a defeat for gay rights groups who saw the provision in a defense authorization bill as their last chance any time soon to overturn the law known as “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
Democrats fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance the legislation, which authorized $726 billion in defense spending. The vote was 56-43.
Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins had been seen as the crucial 60th vote because she supports overturning the military ban. But Collins sided with her GOP colleagues in arguing that Republicans weren’t given sufficient leeway to offer amendments to the wide-ranging policy bill.
The vote fell mostly along party lines, although Arkansas Democratic Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor sided with Republicans to block the bill.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., also voted against the measure as a procedural tactic. Under Senate rules, casting his vote with the majority of the Senate enables him to revive the bill at a later date.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Comments (159)
dlmcilvain
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:03pmWhy is it that if you are gay or lesbian that you have to throw this in everyones face? I don’t care….it is not my biz! Do heterosexual men and women in the military run around anouncing that they are straight? So why does the homosexual community think they need to anounce this? What does this have to do with serving in the military? If I have someone start work at my biz, do they need to have the right to let everyone know their sexual orientation? It has nothing to do with the job!!
Report Post »SummerB
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 5:06pmThey don‘t have to put it in everyone’s face. Everyone is assumed heterosexual until known otherwise. It’s that there are career military members who are homosexual & don’t reside in baracks & would like to have personal relationships when they are not working, so DADT presents a real problem in their personal lives. Unlike most of us who go to our jobs & then go home to our separate personal lives in separate towns where we don’t spend much time socializing with the people we work with, the Military is a specialized institution; members usually live on bases, & it (the Military) encompasses both the members’ working & personal lives so it would be impossible to keep one’s sexuality hidden.
Report Post »Spyder
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:02pmSneaking controversial legislation into other essential bills is no longer going to work. ‘WE’ are watching like a hawk now. The tactics of old are losing their grip. The proverbial ‘Boy who cried wolf’ has called out to many times. ‘WE’ are no longer listening.
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:00pmit’s not even about the “safety” of the gays in the military. I’ve seen a couple comments about “bashing” or “hazing” it’s about living in a baracks as a unit. I used to serve and I would hate to have a gay room mate. not because i hate gays, but because i don’t want to have to change infront of someone who might be having sexual thoughts about me. same as a woman wouldn‘t want to have to change around a man that she’s forced to room with. gays have the same rights as anyone else in the military. just don‘t talk about another man’s backside and everything is fine.
Report Post »promise84
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:59pmUnfortunately this vote will be reported in the media as homophobia and needless jeopardizing of the military by the Right. It will also be speculated that the GOP caved to the pressure of “hate groups”, meaning conservatives, in order to further mischaracterize them as undesireables. Do not doubt that the Dems knew all along that tacking DADT onto this bill would give them fodder for the November campaign.
Report Post »Ga. Tea Party
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 8:46pmIts fodder alright. The Democrats have a hand full of s..t to present and thats all.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:57pmHow about you just serve with your pants on and stop thinking with your crotch?
Report Post »DrPepper
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:52pmMan they are the most sneaky and underhanded administration ever. How about just making a bill a bill not bills within bills they must think we’re children. It’s like grandma trying to hide your medicine in the oatmeal we knew it was there and unlike grandma what they are trying to do is poison us.
Report Post »perks
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:18pmAgreed, a DADT bill should’nt be a DREAM AMNESTY and everything else they think they can get by with… If they want to pass the DADT (for example) dont put amnesty in it, so it maybe has a chance…
Report Post »RebelAlliance
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:44pmWhat is INFURIATING is how stupid they think we are! That is what makes my blood boil. They are both arrogant and condescending…
Report Post »peoriaindian
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:49pmMcCain you did show some straight talk, now lets show your support across the board for all Conservatives that are running and defend our voices and our right to roll back the Federal Gvt to fiscal responsibility and a Rule of Law and proper due diligence of legislation by our Representatives that the people have put in power, and the Republican/RINO have got to stop answering ONLY to the machine and find your individual voices also!
Report Post »DrPepper
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:06pmMcCain is a Progressive Republican his entire family is, most certainly his daughter Meghan “Bless her heart.“ I mean she is so far removed from based conservative issues that its form had to come from home ”Daddy.” With McCain you just don‘t know what your going to get and that just isn’t good enough anymore. Sadly I actually like McCain he has spunk certainly more than most Republicans. However this is the end road and we have to purify the conservative voice and message its been diluted with progressive poison for too long.
Report Post »NoMarxist
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:47pmSounds like another campaign issue.. Republicans must hate gays if they voted along party lines to reject Harry Reid’s gay bill.
Report Post »EAGLEMOM
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:44pmHooray! These legislative tricks used by both parties for many years must come to a stop. Legislation stew is no longer acceptable. Legislation must be clear, concise and item must stand on its own. We the People must hold them to it. Good job Republicans….this must continue after the November.
Report Post »littlebin518
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:01pmEaglemom, I couldn’t have said it better! Legislation Stew – I love it!
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:43pmEXCUSE ME, but the Republicans cannot block anything.
Report Post »DrammyCoke
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:42pmHere’s the crux of the story!!!!
“The vote fell mostly along party lines, although Arkansas Democratic Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor sided with Republicans to block the bill.”
But the story is titled “REPUBLICANS BLOCK BILL TO LIFT MILITARY GAY BAN”
Report Post »Deanna Z
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 9:19amSenate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., also voted against the measure and it doesn’t matter why he said he did it, a no vote is a no vote.
Report Post »Venom
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:40pmYes, yes…..Perfect, now the “evil” conservatives plan is working PERFECTLY. MUHUHAHAHA now all the gays shall not serve openly and we can slowly destroy all them.
No but seriously, why would you want to be openly gay in the military? So you can be ridiculed and hated on? I don’t think they would be thought of to highly in the military…maybe its just me.
Report Post »Mary M. Tebbe
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:40pmRomans 1: 18 – 32 says, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
dressseller
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:32pmWord.
Report Post »nichols_86
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 5:43pmAmen
Report Post »faktchekr
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 7:26pmAs the “devout catholic” Nancy Pelosi said…her favorite word…is the Word…um…er…except when it comes to gay marriage and oh yes…abortion.
Report Post »13thGenerationAmerican
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 7:39pmYea, sure, eye roll
Report Post »Ga. Tea Party
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 8:38pmI’am glad you included quotes from the Bible. Some will copy it or may have only read it for the first time. It will be a large part of their strength to stand against the preversion and wickedness of homosexuality. Many think it is a settled issue but it is not. we will always know it is wrong and the Bible is right till the day we die and now there will be new generations that will take up the good fight. The internet is good for disimination of information. Glenn you brought light to the forefront with your blackboards. Thanks
Report Post »eMinistry
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:39pmI know that many of you are against allowing grown children of illegal aliens of no fault of their own to become US citizens. But I‘m glad it wasn’t passed here. In my humbly opinion, if they are ever allowed citizenship, I pray it is allowed with out slavery stipulations, such as the ones on this Bill. Paying a fine and having a notable impeccable life, may be an important part of the needed requirements, but not having to serve in the Arm Forces. Everyone that has served is honorable, and has not done this for self, instead for their beloved United States of America. So, although I want a Bill for these people someday. I‘m glad this one didn’t pass.
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:54pmwhat are you talking about? this bill was covering gays in the military
Report Post »Zoe
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:05pmYou won’t believe the stuff that is slipped into pages & pages of legislation. Well maybe unless the revision comes to your mailbox & hit’s your head like a ton of bricks……………….. otherwise to many it’s white noise…………………………….
Peace..
Report Post »TheLeftMadeMeRight
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:09pmHarry Reid tacked an amnesty provision for illegal immigrants onto this military spending bill.
Report Post »Dustyn_H
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 5:15pmDimmuBorgir:
This defense appropriations bill had 3 amendments to it that were added for political reasons:
1) The repeal of DADT. The Republicans are going to allow this to happen…they just want to wait until AFTER the Pentagon report they are conducting to see what effect this will have on the Military. The House already approved a repeal earlier this year.
2) The DREAM act was added. This allows illegal aliens who were brought here as kids to be allowed to be documented and earn a citizenship status. The bill allows for anyone age *35* and younger who was brought into the country before age 16, who has graduated High School and has no record, to get a green card and become a citizen with 2 years of college or enlistment in the military. Major problem is they wanted very little in the way of PROOF that they were in the country before age 16, etc, etc. It would be easy for anyone close to age 35 to opt into it and get it. Amnesty in other words.
3) Making all military medical facilities both in the U.S. and overseas to allow elective abortions. This means the U.S. government would be essentially funding abortions. Currently service members have to leave the base to get an abortion. If they are overseas they can hitch a ride back on a military transport to get to the U.S. for the abortion.
All 3 of those amendments deserve their own debate and tacking them on to the appropriations bill, while not against the rules, is terrible, IMO
Report Post »bigmike63
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:02amSenator Reid also had the “Dream” put into the bill. That was for illegal kids under 16 and in the country at lest 5 years to get legal status
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:38pmIt’s hard to believe we are even having this conversation. I’m 49 and even 20 years ago this was unthinkable. What’s the matter with this country?
Report Post »Kataklysmic
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:04pmMany things, but in a nutshell poor parenting. Too many parents have bought into the lies of materialism and both work, leaving their kids to be raised by MTV and hence brainwashed by a progressive agenda. Yup…that about sums it up.
Docrow
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:54pmRight on the money KATAKLYSMIC
Report Post »DimmuBorgir
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:38pmGood job Senators. It’s refreshing to see a vote go the way I wanted it to go.
Take that libs, good ol’ values and common sense won this time.
Report Post »lukesmom
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:37pmI’m confused… i thought there was a democrat majority, and the republicans had no power to block anything? did they lock the dems in the basement for the vote? ….maybe they should have done that with healthcare….
Report Post »ritetrack
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 8:37pmpure, unadulterated proof that it doesn’t matter “what the numbers are”…. you can be a “million-strong“ and still be defeated if you are ”completely EVIL and on God’s bad-side!” Thanking God for His intervention in all our affairs… He is protecting us from EVIL…
Report Post »v.o.t.e.
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:36pmdoesn’t reid get it— weare fed up— in the old days they could get away with this but now with the internet and 100 news sources this stuff always backfires– how many americans knew what reconciliation was before febuary– i‘m glad that idiot reid han’t figured this out yet– he’s a thoroughbred jackass
Report Post »benrush
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:28pmHarry Reid and Phil Hare must go. See ya chumps.
Underachievers in a position of power. Time for some fresh new perspectives on things.
Report Post »jackfromnc
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:28pmThis is a good thing. It Doesn‘t matter what your opinion is on DADT it’s purely the fact that this isn’t how bills should be passed.
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:37pmYes, yes, and YES.
Report Post »v.o.t.e.
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:40pmamen–common sense and integrity are just around the corner– if not –we will vote them out in 2012
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:27pmWhat’s the status of the defense bill?
Report Post »nsblues
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:15pmit‘ll get passed after the election when Harry Reid isn’t counting on its failure to secure political points
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:26pmgood……………now if we can get someone to write a law staing laws can not be attached to any other law and must stand on its own merit……………….common sense among us “little people”
Report Post »nsblues
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:14pmThis
Report Post »msnbciscomedy
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 7:52pmThats crazy. I guess next, you will suggest that our politicians actually read bills before voting on them. You are such a simple minded little serf. You just keep going to work and sending your money to Washington, they will fix everything.
Report Post »Zoe
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:25pmDon‘t ask don’t tell along with military spending & how many other mixed items-?
This trail mix of method of legislation is just wrong………………………………..
Report Post »msnbciscomedy
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 7:55pmGood point…..that is a pretty bad headline from the blaze…….
Report Post »Prospero
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:25pmWell done, GOP. Now, kindly continue is a like vein.
Your futue hinges upon two successful courses of action. Block, followed by expunge.
This administration…and this period of Democrat dominance…must be utterly erased, totally expunged. Nothing can go forward, everything must ultimately be erased as if it had never happened.
Then we can get to the real work of repairing the ruins of American liberty and small government.
Report Post »monroeslb
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:49pmThat is really good the Republicans defeated the bill for gays in the military.
Report Post »butterfly53
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:13pmContinue to be the Party of NO!
PubliusPencilman
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:23pmYeah, liberty has a good day when people are barred from serving their country because of who they are.
dressseller
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:28pmYou are correct Butterfly. I agree with you 100%. The Republicans should absolutely not be the Party Of No. Where this administration is concerned, I much prefer them to be the Party Of Hell-No. …………………..There is NOTHING wrong with using the word of “NO” when it’s warranted …..and it is so clearly warranted with this admin.
Report Post »Beckofile
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:36pmWhy don’t we leave an internal policy like this to the military experts. Why the hell would someone like Stuart Little be an expert on how this would effect the warrior class??? Time to get rid of the urban elites in this government
Report Post »american christian
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 7:40pmI thought this vote was to block another bill that had stuff in it which had absolutely nothing to do with military. Like amnesty, gay rights and probobly some pork. Didn’t the GOP vote against this bill because of the NON RELATED content?
I think the Headline should not be GOB blocks lifting of gay ban. But rather GOP finally says enough with the shady hidden politics. Lets vote on each INDIVIDUAL issue.
Report Post »ritetrack
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 8:30pmI soooo agree… we need to make this horrible time in our country’s history at “total blank”… the only historical reference to this time should be focused on how the American People Stood and Stopped The Insanity and Saved OUR COUNTRY From Total Devestation!
Report Post »kearney5177
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 10:02pmwell said, well said
Report Post »solaveritas
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 3:22pmThe Dems continue to disrespect the PROCESS, designed to protect the citizens.
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:20pmHuh? What article were you reading?
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 5:03pmOh shoot
Now we pissed off the radical gays
How do they riot?
Report Post »Sailor
REVEL
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 7:10pmAnother win!!! I contacted my Congressman and I’m glad you did too. It really does work. This is just the beginning…
Report Post »msnbciscomedy
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 7:47pmI am a conservative and support the Tea Party and I think DADT is redic…….ALL entrants to to military should be treated the same. However, the military should not be held resposnible for the morons who would redicule or harass a gay person serving openly. This type of stuff is only taking away from what we should really be talking about. I know a few gay people and most of them are very kind and seem to be good people….Its none of my business what they do in their bedroom….as long as that is where it takes place. Not in the barraks, not in public……hmmm I think those laws already exist for heterosexual people, so we are good. Listen up GOP……EQUAL RIGHTS means EQUAL RIGHTS. Now marriage is a different story. That, by definition, is between a man and a women. Civil unions should be sufficent. Equal rights, different name.
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