The repeal of the controversial bar on gays and lesbians serving in the US military, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), looks set to take a leap forward this week as Democratic leaders muster votes to attach a clause scrapping the policy onto a defence spending bill going through Congress.
The Hill newspaper reports the compromise being discussed will approve repealing the law, but delay doing so until after the Defence Department has its say on the matter:
Such a strategy could win over lawmakers who are still on the fence about voting to scrap the ban on gays serving openly in the military before the Pentagon has had the chance to complete its yearlong study.
According to the Advocate, a deal is in the works after a morning of meetings between gay rights activists, the White House and staff from the respective Senate and House committees:
According to one person familiar with the White House meeting, the proposal that is being considered would legislatively repeal the statute this year, but the current policy would remain in place and implementation of repeal would not occur until after the Pentagon's working group study is finished in December. Further, completion of repeal would require certification from President Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and Joint Chiefs chair Admiral Mike Mullen that the new law will not have a negative impact on readiness, recruitment, retention, and other key factors affecting the military.
The Senate armed services committee is likely to vote on Thursday on adding the change to the defence authorisation bill. The House may also vote on a similar measure this week put forward by Democrat Patrick Murphy, since Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she will allow a floor vote if there is enough support for repealing DADT. Murphy is confident he has the 217 votes to pass repeal in the House, while Levin is said to be close to collecting the 15 votes he needs to attach the measure in the Senate committee.
