Could "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" be Repealed Next Year?
The repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) rule should be a part of the defense budget, much like the recent extension of hate crimes protections for LGBT citizens, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) told the Blade. Frank is one of three openly gay members of the House.
"The House will take up and the Senate will take up 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal," Frank reportedly said. "That will again, like hate crimes, even more so, will have to be done, I believe, in the context of the defense authorization. You can't do the standalone bill. It belongs in the defense authorization."
A bill has been introduced in the House to repeal the measure, and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) may introduce a similar bill in the Senate.
DADT was enacted through a defense authorization bill in 1993, the Blade points out.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the Senate majority whip, reportedly said that he was uncertain whether the DADT repeal would be on next year's agenda. In reponse, Frank told the Blade, "I think that's a terrible mistake for him to say that and I believe that it will be a great injustice to wait any longer."
President Obama is expected to deliver his defense budget request to Congress early next year.
The president's liberal base is increasingly worried he may not follow through on his campaign promises, including the repeal of DADT. A number of liberal activists, including prominent gay activist John Aravosis, are spearheading a financial boycott of the Democratic National Committee, Organizing for America (the DNC-run operation to mobilize Obama supporters) and the Obama campaign. They say the administration has failed to keep its promises to the gay community.
Meanwhile, the American Medical Association has agreed to join efforts to repeal DADT, arguing it creates an ethical dilemma for gay service members and the doctors who treat them.