NOTE: New Blend content is below this post, which will be on top during proceedings today.
The Senate started the session at 9am this morning; you can watch the live feed here. Currently Jeff Sessions, the first the speak today, is arguing against the DREAM Act.
FINGERS. CROSSED.
NOTE FROM PAM: You can also join the live chat hosted by Joe Sudbay of Americablog that is up top now as well.
11:30 AM ET: Cloture motion on the DREAM Act falls, 55-41. 60 needed. NC’s Kay Hagan voted NO on DREAM Act.
11:45: Don’t Ask Don’t Tell passes major Senate vote. On to the vote for repeal. Then the Prez and Mullen and Gates have to sign off.
A reminder from SLDN:
WHY SERVICE MEMBERS MAY STILL BE DISCHARGED EVEN AFTER A SUCCESSFUL SENATE VOTE AND PRESIDENTIAL BILL SIGNING / SERVICE MEMBERS WILL REMAIN VULNERABLE
PRESIDENTIAL BILL SIGNING:
? Even after a successful U.S. Senate vote and after the President signs the bill, service members will remain at risk for investigation and discharge. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will still be the law until 60 days after the Commander-in-Chief, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs certify repeal can happen. Read SLDN’s warnings to service members: www.sldn.org/StillAtRisk.
WHAT IS CERTIFICATION:
? The President would transmit to the congressional Armed Services Committees a written certification, signed by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stating each of the following:
o (A) That the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have considered the recommendations contained in the report and the report’s proposed plan of action.
o (B) That the Department of Defense has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by the amendments made by subsection (f).
o (C) That the implementation of necessary policies and regulations pursuant to the discretion provided by the amendments made by subsection (f) is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces.
? “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will still be the law at this point. Service members will still be discharged. Read SLDN’s warnings: www.sldn.org/StillAtRisk.
REPEAL EFFECTIVE 60 DAYS AFTER CERTIFICATION TRANSMITTAL:
? After the President transmits written certification to the congressional Armed Services Committees, full repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” would be effective 60 days later.
