(Below is a statement from HRC's President, Joe Solmonese)
On the Senate floor just now, Majority Leader Harry Reid announced the Senate will begin to vote as soon as Saturday on a bill to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. That puts it ahead of the START treaty, as proponents of repeal had requested.
"We've got to move this all along," Reid said from the floor.
Reid will also file for cloture on the DREAM Act. That means both bills should come up for a procedural vote on Saturday. The vote on the DREAM Act will come first, followed by the vote on DADT.
Democrats expect the cloture vote on the DREAM Act to fail. Next will come a cloture vote on DADT. "If DREAM gets 60 to end debate then we would have final passage Sunday," a Reid aide told TPM. "If DREAM fails, but DADT gets 60 then it's the same case -- final vote Sunday."
Though progressives will see the votes on DADT and DREAM as key victories, Reid's other announcement will likely be seen as a victory for the Republicans. Reid announced that despite the bipartisan process behind the omnibus spending bill, he could not get any Republican votes for the massive omnibus spending bill. So he's scrapping it in favor of a short-term spending package that will keep the government up and running through early next year.
So for those paying close attention, here's the schedule of votes moving forward: DREAM, DADT repeal, short-term spending bill and, finally START treaty.
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On the record statement by HRC President Joe Solmonese:
We are gratified that the Majority Leader has scheduled the cloture vote on the DADT repeal bill for Saturday. It’s time that senators vote their consciences and move our military and our country forward. This has always been an issue of integrity for our military and the brave gay and lesbian service members who serve our country every day. America is ready for a vote and there’s no need for any more waiting.
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