News

Republicans Want to Get Defense Authorization Done, Majority Leader Reid is AWOL

December 9, 2010

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans call upon the Senate Majority Leader to follow through on promises to bring the National Defense Authorization Act to the floor with enough time for a fair and reasonable debate.

"Several Republicans, including Senators Scott Brown and Lisa Murkowski have made it clear that they are ready to support repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Now it is up to the Majority Leader to make that possible by dealing with the tax issue and moving swiftly to a debate on defense authorization," said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director. "Senator Susan Collins has presented the majority leader with a plan that is entirely reasonable, accepting the Majority Leader's suggested number of amendments and simply asking for four days time to debate this complicated and consequential bill. There has been no response from the majority leader."

If the Majority Leader is truly committed to providing our military with the tools and resources they need for success, and to repealing the failed and unconstitutional 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, he will do what it takes to meet Senator Collins in the middle, even if it means staying in session beyond his own deadline of December 17th. If the National Defense Authorization Act does not pass this year, it will be the first time in 48 years. I cannot imagine this is a precedent Congress or the President wants to set while fighting two wars and supporting peace-keeping operations around the globe. Now is not the time to play political games with our nation's military. Senator Reid, it is time to report for duty."

Log Cabin Republicans have maintained a three-front strategy against 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' lobbying for repeal in Congress, consulting with the Department of Defense, and filing suit in federal court. The case went to trial in July of 2010, and Judge Virginia Phillips ruled on September 9, 2010 that the policy violated the First and Fifth Amendments of the Constitution.