Defense bill stalls over military gay ban - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Defense bill stalls over military gay ban

The 2011 defense authorization bill now sits in limbo after the Senate failed to muster the 60 votes needed to begin debate on a measure that not only would provide $725.7 billion for military programs but also is weighed down with some heavy political baggage — including a repeal of the bans on open service by gays and elective abortions in military medical facilities.

The call for repeal of the military’s 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was the primary stumbling block for the Senate.

The 56-43 vote to allow debate on the bill to begin fell short of the 60-vote majority needed to overcome procedural roadblocks.

The Senate is unlikely to try again until after Thanksgiving in a post-election session where the outcome is unclear because the election results could change some votes and might even lead to a decision to put off work on the bill until January or later, when a new Congress convenes.

The vote came mostly over strong opposition to a provision allowing gays to openly serve in the military, something that could happen as early as 60 days after the bill becomes law — although only if the president, defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs all certified the military was ready and able to make such a change.

But opponents either argued flatly against any change, or felt it is unfair to set the stage for such a big policy shift until the Defense Department completes an ongoing review that includes a survey of troops and their families about the potential impact of repeal.

Statements from the service chiefs earlier this year that asked for a delay on a vote to repeal until after the Pentagon had fully studied implementation challenges and the troop survey was completed appeared to carry great sway in the debate.

Although Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., kept trying to assure senators that the bill would “not tie the military to any specific action,” the fact the Senate was voting to authorize repeal before the Pentagon study is done led some senators to complain that such a move would be disrespectful to the troops.

“It is not necessary to ram this through,” said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. “If this is going to be changed, it has to be done respectfully.”

Voting before the survey and report are done would have a “corrosive effect on the military,” said Sessions.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called voting to repeal the law before the troop survey is done a “blatant disregard for the morale, effectiveness, recruitment and retention” of the military because it is being “railroaded through without a proper assessment.”

“We need to know the views of the men and women serving in the military,” McCain said. “The Senate should not be forced to make a decision now, before we hear from the troops.”

The annual defense policy bill often has been the vehicle for other social policy issues — like hate crimes legislation — that has complicated passage of the legislation. But each year for the past 48 years, Congress has found a way to pass the measure that includes a wide range of changes in military personnel, operations, installations and weapons programs.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the Independent Democrat from Connecticut, said Congress needs to get the bill done before the end of the year because it includes vital improvements in compensation, weapons and other programs.

“We need to do this bill,” he said, predicting that ultimately the Senate will pass the measure and vote to repeal the military’s gay ban.

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