Hugh's News has been alerted that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) intends to schedule a vote next week on major defense budget legislation that contains "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal language, regardless of any objection from members of the U.S. Senate.
A senior Democratic leadership aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Reid met with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday to inform the Republican leader that the fiscal year 2011 defense authorization bill will come to the Senate floor the week of September 20.
The aide said Senate leadership is anticipating the Senate won't have unanimous consent to bring the legislation to the floor, so 60 votes will be necessary to end a filibuster and move forward with debate on the bill.
"We are going to take it the floor next week to see where the votes are," the aide said.
Last month, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) objected to moving forward with the defense authorization bill after August recess. The aide said he's "hopeful" the Senate has at least 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.
There are 70 retired military chaplains and high ranking officers who have signed a petition in defense of the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. My signature as the endorser for the International Pentecostal Holiness Church is on that petition. Should this policy be reversed, it will allow homosexuals to serve openly in the military services.
Some have said, "There's a limited chance of success at this point. Senator Reid wouldn't be planning the vote if he didn't think he could win it." But our hope is not in men, so please be praying. We win on our knees.
Posted on
Tue, September 14, 2010
by Hugh Morgan