Procedural Vote On Repeal Of American Military Policy Prohibiting Openly Gay Service Personal Fails

The Washington Post reports that a Senate procedural vote to proceed with debate on a defense department bill that contains language meant to repeal the American military policy prohibiting openly gay service personal has failed to earn the 60 votes needed to further any action. Senators voted 57-40 against proceeding with the National Defense Authorisation Act, Republicans committed to blocking any legislation that does not address tax cuts or government spending. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who worked for more than a week to negotiate with Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Independent Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut said “We’ve tried every possible way to do this.” Collins supported the bill, voting yes, however Republican Senators Scott Brown, Mark Kirk, Lisa Murkowski, and Olympia Snowe, as well as Democratic Senator Joe Marchin voted no, despite public promises from Brown and Murkowski made in recent days that they fully supported repeal of the now 17 year old archaic, deeply embarrassing ban known as “don’t ask, don’t tell.” The failed vote Thursday exhausts the strongest legislative option for ending the ban, and now gay rights advocates assert that they will pressure President Obama to act on his own accord through executive action. Prior to Thursday’s vote, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said “I think the president strongly believes that one of two things is going to happen: either Congress is going to solve this legislatively, or the courts are going to solve this. The policy is going to come to an end.” It is not known what will become of the broader 2011 defense measure since Congress is scheduled to break for Christmas December 17th. The measure, that authorises Pentagon policy and spending, has been approved for 48 consecutive years.