Tag Archives: United States Department of Defense

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Congress: the Republican led House -the Senate considers HR2055


The Senate Convened at  9:30amET July 20, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.2055, the Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs and related agencies Appropriations bill.
  • At noon, Senator Johnson (SD) will be recognized to make a motion to table the Vitter amendment #586 (no funds expended at a higher rate than the budget resolution for 2012). Therefore, Senators should expect a roll call vote in relation to the Vitter amendment around noon on Wednesday.
  • The Senate hopes to complete action on the Military Construction Appropriations bill.

The following amendments are pending to H.R.2055, the Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs and related agencies Appropriations bill:

  • McCain amendment #553 (eliminates $10M for the Energy Conservation Investment Program)
  • Johnson-Kirk amendment #556 (Arlington Cemetery report), as modified
  • Vitter amendment #568 (no funds expended at a higher rate than the budget resolution for 2012)
  • Wyden amendment #570 (closure of Umatilla Army Chemical Depot in OR)
  • Coburn amendment #564 (Agent Orange)

Addtional Amendments

The Ayotte amendment #575 (next-generation technologies),

 the Boxer amendment #577 (funding for DoDEA school),

 Hutchison amendment #562 (US Africa Command headquarters) and Hutchison amendment #563 (milcon project in Germany) are pending to H.R.2055, the Military Construction Appropriations bill.

VOTES

5:23pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.2055, the Military Construction Appropriations bill, as amended; Passed: 97-2

4:52pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to table the Coburn amendment #564 (Agent Orange); tabled: 69-30

12:03 pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to table the Vitter amendment #586 (no funds expended at a higher rate than the budget resolution for 2012). Tabled: 69-30.

The Senate has entered into a unanimous consent agreement with respect to H.R.2055, the Military Construction Appropriations bill. As a result of this agreement, there will be up to 4 roll call votes at approximately 4:45pm in relation to the following:

– Ayotte amendment #575 (next-generation prosthetics) (possible voice vote)

– Boxer amendment #577 (DoDEA school funding)

– Coburn amendment #564 (Agent Orange)

– Passage of H.R.2055, as amended

There will be 2 minutes of debate prior to each vote.

The details of the consent agreement are below.

By unanimous consent, the Johnson-Kirk amendment #556, will be modified further with the changes that are at the desk; Senator Warner will be added as a cosponsor to the Johnson-Kirk amendment; the pending amendments will be set aside and two amendments from Senator Hutchison be called up — #562 and #563, en bloc, and following the reporting of the Hutchison amendments, the following pending amendments will be agreed to:

– Johnson-Kirk #556, as further modified;

– Wyden #570;

– Hutchison #562; and

– Hutchison #563.

Further, the pending McCain amendment #553 will be withdrawn; that no other amendments, motions or points of order will be in order other than motions to table or budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive; at 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to a vote in relation to the following amendments in the order listed below:

– Ayotte #575;

– Boxer #577; and

– Coburn amendment #564.

There will be up to two minutes of debate equally divided between the votes; upon disposition of the Coburn amendment, the substitute amendment, as amended, will be agreed to; the bill will be read a third time and the Senate will proceed to a vote on passage of the bill, as amended; and the motions to reconsider will be considered made and laid upon the table.

Finally, that upon passage, the Senate will insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses; and the Chair will be authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate with a ratio of 9 to 8.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 20, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

3:49 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

3:47 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

H.J. Res. 66:
approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

3:24 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.J. Res. 66.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Boustany moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution, as amended.

3:23 P.M. – The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

3:22 P.M. – Mr. Wolf filed a report from the Committee on Appropriations on H.R. 2596.

H.R. 2553:
to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend the airport improvement program, and for other purposes 

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 243 – 177 (Roll no. 611).

3:12 P.M. – On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 187 – 233 (Roll no. 610).

2:41 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rahall motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to prohibit air carriers from charging a fee for four or fewer items of baggage checked by a member of the Armed Forces who is traveling in scheduled air transportation on official military duty. Subsequently, the point of order was withdrawn.

2:40 P.M. – Mr. Rahall moved to recommit with instructions to Transportation.

Mr. Rahall of West Virginia moved to recommit the bill, H.R. 2553, to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with the following amendment: � At the end of the bill, add the following: � SEC. 7. BAGGAGE FEES FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. ***

2:39 P.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

1:39 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2553.

1:38 P.M. – Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2553with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 357.

H. Res. 357:
providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2553) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend the airport improvement program, and for other purposes 

1:36 P.M. – On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 242 – 178 (Roll no. 609).Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1:29 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H.Res. 357 which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 357:
providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2553) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend the airport improvement program, and for other purposes 

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 239 – 183 (Roll no. 608).

12:26 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 357.

12:25 P.M. – Considered as privileged matter.

12:02 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

12:01 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Bucshon to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:00 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 20.

11:07 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:00 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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What’s going on in Congress … the Republican led House -the Senate


The Senate re-Convenes on 7/11/2011 @2pmET

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1323.

The next roll call vote will be at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, July 11, 2011 on the motion to proceed to S.1323, a bill to express the sense of the Senate on shared sacrifice in resolving the budget deficit equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 8, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

2:25 P.M. –

The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 11, 2011.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.

1:26 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

1:24 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded further with one minute speeches.

H.R. 2354:

making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2354 as unfinished business.

1:23 P.M. –

On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Frelinghuysen moved that the committee rise.

12:45 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2354.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Ted Poe to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 337 and Rule XVIII.

12:44 P.M. –

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2354 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be read by paragraph. Bill is open to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 337.

12:43 P.M. –

MEMBERS TO PERFORM DUTIES OF THE CHAIR – Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that the Speaker may appoint Members to perform the duties of the Chair for the duration of the period from August 8, 2011, through September 6, 2011, as though under clause 8(a) of rule I. Agreed to without objection.

12:42 P.M. –

Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, July 8, 2011, it adjourn to meet on Monday, July 11, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 340:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1309) to extend the authorization of the national flood insurance program, to achieve reforms to improve the financial integrity and stability of the program, and to increase the role of private markets in the management of flood insurance risk, and for other purposes

12:10 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 269 – 146 (Roll no. 533).

12:04 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H. Res. 340, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 2219:

making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 336 – 87 (Roll no. 532).

11:55 A.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 188 – 234 (Roll no. 531).

11:38 A.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

11:30 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Barrow motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to increase funds for the Department of Defense-Wide Yellow Ribbon Program by $200 million.

Mr. Barrow moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.

11:29 A.M. –

The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

11:28 A.M. –

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2219.

On motion to rise and report Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Young (FL) moved for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report.

11:23 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Kucinich amendment Failed by recorded vote: 169 – 251 (Roll no. 530).

11:19 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Polis amendment Failed by recorded vote: 113 – 307 (Roll no. 529).

11:16 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Huelskamp amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 236 – 184 (Roll no. 528).

11:11 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Flake amendment Failed by recorded vote: 100 – 321 (Roll no. 527).

11:05 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Flake amendment Failed by recorded vote: 118 – 295 (Roll no. 526).

11:01 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Flake amendment Failed by recorded vote: 39 – 380 (Roll no. 525).

10:35 A.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Kucinich amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Kucinich demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

10:29 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 320, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Kucinich amendment under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Kucinich.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds for military operations in or against Libya except under a declaration of war against Libya pursuant to clause 11 in section 8 of article I of the Constitution.

10:28 A.M. –

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 337:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2354) making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes

10:25 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

10:01 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 337.

10:00 A.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 340:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1309) to extend the authorization of the national flood insurance program, to achieve reforms to improve the financial integrity and stability of the program, and to increase the role of private markets in the management of flood insurance risk, and for other purposes

9:59 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 340, the Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the resolution until later in the legislative day.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

9:19 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 340.

Considered as privileged matter.

9:04 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

9:03 A.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Fleming to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

9:02 A.M. –

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

9:01 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.

9:00 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Honoring Fallen Servicemem​bers … a message from Senator Patty Murray


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June 2, 2011

Honoring Fallen Servicemembers

Honoring Fallen Servicemembers

In honor of Memorial Day last week, I spoke on the Senate floor to pay tribute to the men and women who died serving our country in the armed forces. I also took time to discuss the need to take care of our nation’s veterans and urge my colleagues to pass my legislation to help veterans find employment.

Watch the speech |Readthe speech

Improving Care for Veterans through Agency Coordination

Last week, I heard from veterans and top VA and Pentagon officials about challenges that remain in the care for amputees, rising suicide rates, poor coordination between the departments, and delays in disability evaluations. During the hearing, I heard first-hand accounts from veterans about what went well but also about how they were negatively impacted by the lack of collaboration between DoD and VA and what they believe can be done to improve the transition for the thousands upon thousands of servicemembers still to come home.

Watch the hearing

Read more

“Concern grows over ‘epidemic’ veteran suicide rate” – The News Tribune

Benefits Program for Caregivers of Veterans Now Accepting Applications

Earlier this month, I applauded the announcement made by the Department of Veterans Affairs that they have started accepting and processing applications for the critical caregiver benefits program. After only a week and a half, the VA helped over 625 veterans, servicemembers, and caregivers apply to receive the new benefits. This program will provide much-needed and long-awaited financial and health care support to family members caring for severely wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Read more

Eligible veterans, servicemembers, and family caregivers can apply for benefits online at: www.caregiver.va.gov

Lowering our Military’s Dependence on Fossil Fuels

Last week, Senator Maria Cantwell and I introduced legislation to extend the length of contracts between the DoD and biofuel producers. The act, which is companion legislation to a bipartisan bill sponsored in the U.S. House by Rep. Jay Inslee, would allow the military to increase long-term contracts with biofuel producers from 5 years to 15 years for the purchase of advanced biofuel fuels. Not only will this unlock opportunities to make investments in the construction and development of private biofuel refineries in the Northwest, it will also lower our military’s dependence on fossil fuels and increase the security of troops.

Read more

“Industry study says Northwest ideal for production of biofuels”
– The Everett Herald

Providing Greater Access to Affordable Health Care

Last week, I applauded the announcement that Washington State will be one of the first states to receive funding to help implement a Health Insurance Exchange, a key provision of the Affordable Care Act. The award of $22 million will help Washington state implement an Exchange that will provide individuals and small business with a one-stop shop to find and compare health insurance options.

Read more
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MILITARY: Asked And Answered


Yesterday, after an exhaustive and at times controversial ten-month review of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen announced that the purported risk of repealing the discriminatory policy is quite low. The 274-page report was released one day early after Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) pressured Gates to give the Senate as much time as possible to review the results and lift the ban during the lame duck session. (The House passed the measure in May.) On MSNBC this morning, Lieberman said, “I believe we have more than 60 Senators, including a good solid handful of Republicans, who are prepared to vote to take up the Armed Services bill, which already has within it the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Gates himself endorsed the review and called on Congress to pass repeal before another court decision found the ban unconstitutional and compelled the armed forces to stop enforcing the policy. “Now that we have completed this review,  I strongly urge the Senate to pass this legislation and send it to the president for signature before the end of this year,” he said. “It is only a matter of time before the federal courts are drawn once more into the fray, with the very real possibility that this change would be imposed immediately by judicial fiat — by far the most disruptive and damaging scenario I can imagine, and the one most hazardous to military morale, readiness and battlefield performance.” Defense Department General Counsel Jeh C. Johnson and Army Gen. Carter F. Ham — the co-chairs of the Working Group that conducted the review — also reiterated that the study represented “the largest,  most comprehensive review of a personnel policy matter which which the Department of Defense has ever undertaken.” The study is far more comprehensive, for example, than efforts taken to prepare the force for the integration of African Americans and women.

LITTLE RISK FROM REPEAL:   The Working Group’s extensive survey of 400,000 servicemembers and 150,000 military spouses found that  70 percent of servicemembers said they would be able to “work together to get the job done” with a gay servicemember in their immediate units.  Sixty-nine percent admitted to working in a unit with a co-worker that they believed to be gay and, of those who did, 92 percent said that their unit’s “ability to work together” with a gay person was “very good,” “good” or “neither good nor poor” (89 percent for those in Army combat arms units; 84 percent for those in Marine combat arms units.) What’s more, 74 percent of spouses of military servicemembers said repeal of DADT would not have a negative “impact on their view of whether their husbands or wives should continue to serve.” The highest rate of resistance to lifting the ban came from the Marine Corps, where servicemembers said they were least likely to encounter gay troops. Whereas approximately 30 percent of servicemembers across all branches expressed “negative views or concerns” about lifting the ban, between 40 and 60 percent of Marines in various combat arms specialties offered a negative opinion. As Johnson explained, that resistance “is driven by misperceptions and stereotypes.” The Marine Corps respondents also indicated ” a lower percentage who had actual experience of serving in a unit alongside someone who was gay or lesbian,” Ham added. “We did find, for example, in Marine Corps and Army combat arms units who had — in combat environments when those were — when they were asked about their experience with gay servicemembers in their unit reported actually quite favorably on the unit’s performance. So I think — again, I think it’s a largely —  there is a differential in actual experience.” U.S. allies with experience in repealing similar bans, notably Canada and the United Kingdom, also saw indicators of opposition in pre-repeal surveys. Once the bans were dropped, however, repeal proved to be a non-event.

IMPLEMENTING REPEAL:   During the press conference yesterday, the military leadership stressed the importance of lifting the ban in a deliberate yet timely manner. The study itself offers  several recommendations. For instance, the Working Group assumes that implementation of repeal will depend upon “strong leadership, a clear message, and proactive education.” The report recommends equipping commanders in the field with the education and training tools to educate the force on  what is expected of them in a post repeal environment. The group also rules out the need for special regulations governing the conduct of gay servicemembers or the establishment of separate facilities and argues that the Department “should issue guidance that all standards of conduct apply uniformly, without regard to sexual orientation.” On the delicate issue of providing benefits to the same-sex partners of servicemembers, the report notes that while the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prevents same-sex partners from accessing many benefits, there are some benefits that are available to anyone of a Service member’s choosing. “Department of Defense and the Services  should inform servicemember about these types of benefits, if the policy is repealed,” Johnson noted during the press conference, arguing that another set of benefits, which are not statutorily prohibited, but do not extend to same-sex partners under current regulation, “should be revised and redefined to include same-sex partners.” The Working Group does not, however, recommend that the DoD “revise their regulations to specifically add same-sex committed relationships to the definition of ‘dependent,’ ‘family members,’ or other similar terms in those regulations, for purposes of extending benefits eligibility.” As legal analyst Andrew Cohen points out, for gay or lesbian service members who choose to come out after the end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, “this means  no financial breaks on housing allowances or health care benefits that are available to married couples.” The Working Group also recommends that “service members who have been previously separated under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell be permitted to apply for reentry into the military.”

SENATE MUST ACT:   On Thursday and Friday the Senate Armed Services Committee will hold two days of hearings with Gates, Mullen, the co-chairmen of the Working Group, and the four Service Chiefs. In a preview of the hearings, Gates was asked about Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ)  recent argument that the study would not provide the military or Congress with sufficient information about the effects of military readiness and unit cohesion. Gates said McCain “is mistaken” before adding, “This report does provide a sound basis for making decisions on this law.” “It’s hard for me to imagine that you can come up with a more comprehensive approach,” he said. President Obama, who discussed the results of the study with Service Chiefs on Monday, also issued a statement endorsing the report’s findings and calling on the Senate to “act as soon as possible so I can sign this repeal into law this year and ensure that Americans who are willing to risk their lives for their country are treated fairly and equally.” Still, with a busy calendar full of economic concerns and urgency surrounding the new START treaty, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has yet to announce his floor plan for the National Defense Authorization Act – the bill which includes the DADT repeal amendment. Earlier this week, Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR), long considered a swing vote on the issue, said that he considered homosexuality a “sin” and would be voting against the measure. Newly-sworn in Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) – who voted against repeal in the House but supported the underlining National Defense Authorization Act – also  hinted that he would not support taking up the bill in the lame duck Congress. At least eight undecided senators promised to consider the results of the Pentagon’s Review before deciding how to vote on the measure.

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Pentagon report says gays should serve. Tell Congress to act!


Human Rights Campaign


Breaking news: Pentagon report finds NO REASON to bar open service by lesbians and gays.

But the Senate won’t be in session long – so we need to act now. Tell the Senate:

As of this afternoon, there is absolutely no excuse to delay the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Now it’s time to act.

The Department of Defense has released its landmark study, 9 months in the making. It came to the same conclusion as numerous experts’ reports and 25 other countries.

They all agree on one simple, inescapable truth: Lesbians and gays should serve openly in the U.S. military.

My fellow troops have spoken. Generals have spoken. Think tanks have spoken. The American people have spoken.

From this point forward, any delay is nothing more than discrimination and partisan politics. It needs to end. The Senate is holding critical hearings this week and won’t be in session long – so we must act now.

I was the first American wounded in Iraq. I lost my leg. I almost lost my life. When I returned home, I came out – and spoke out against a policy that forced me to hide who I was.

I’ve talked to elected officials on both sides of the debate. They all need to hear from us today. The ones with the courage to fight for equal rights still need to hear that voters want them to make it a priority. And the ones who have supported discrimination can still be convinced by the facts highlighted in this new report. I’ve seen it happen.

The evidence is on our side. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has always been wrong. But now, it’s not just me or you saying it – it’s the Pentagon’s own study.

We’re on the brink of ending injustice – but we all must stand together, right now.

Let’s make this happen – for my brothers and sisters in arms who put themselves on the line to defend us, and for the good of this nation we all love.

In solidarity,

Eric Alva
Eric Alva
Retired Marine Staff Sergeant

P.S. If you have a minute, we need you to make two quick calls. Call (202) 224-3121 right now, ask to be connected to your senators’ offices, and tell them to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” before they leave for the holidays. Be sure to make two calls, one for each senator in your state. Then report your calls. Thank you!