DADT Repeal Stalls in Senate

CNN: "A defense bill that includes the repeal of the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy failed to advance in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday as Republicans closed ranks to keep the bill from coming up for debate."

Even the GOP Senators who ostensibly support the repeal of DADT found some justification for failing to break with their colleagues.

Republican opponents complained that Democratic leaders are limiting the debate and could have refused to allow GOP amendments to the broader National Defense Authorization Act, which included the "don't ask, don't tell" repeal provision.

GOP senators also disliked Reid's plan to add an immigration-related provision to the defense bill. Reid wants to tack on a measure that would provide a path to citizenship for students and soldiers who are children of illegal immigrants.

"I am opposed to illegal immigration, and I am deeply disappointed that Washington politicians are playing politics with military funding in order to extend a form of amnesty to certain illegal immigrants," Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts said in a statement issued hours ahead of Tuesday's vote.

One of Maine's two moderate Republican senators, Susan Collins, said Tuesday she would join a GOP filibuster unless Reid agrees to open the debate.

"I find myself on the horns of a dilemma," Collins said on the Senate floor, explaining that she supported repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy but "cannot vote to proceed to this bill under a situation that is going to shut down debate and preclude Republican amendments."

...In addition to Collins and Maine's other Republican senator, Olympia Snowe, Democratic hopes took another blow when Republican Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio also said he would join his party's filibuster.

Blah blah fucking blah. Yeah, everyone in the GOP's got other principles they can't possibly compromise when it comes to supporting the principle of equality. Quelle surprise.