Senators Lieberman And Collins Introduce New Bill To Repeal Military Ban On Openly Gay Service Members

The Washington Post reports that “Trying to salvage one of the year's most tumultuous legislative endeavours, senators on Friday introduced a new bill, with bipartisan support, that would end the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays serving openly in the military. Initiated by Sens. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) a day after supporters of repeal saw their efforts defeated for the second time this year, the new bill uses the same language that had been tucked into the defense authorization bill.” The defense bill failed in a procedural vote Thursday, angering many, who regarded its defeat as the result of bad timing rather than a lack of votes, criticising Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for moving on action to repeal the archaic soon to be 18 year old policy prematurely. President Obama continues to want to explore all legislative options to overturn the ban, rather than issue an executive order or rely on the courts to order the policy repealed. It is not clear when the vote would take place, although some Democratic Senate aides suggested the vote could come late Tuesday or Wednesday. However, the White House considers the new START Treaty a more pressing, prominent bill, and that vote will likely occupy much of the middle of next week.