Two Don't Ask Don't Tell developments today:
The House has voted to repeal the military policy, which bans gays and lesbians from openly serving.
And GOP Sen. Olympia Snowe announced that she would support repeal. Talking Points Memo calculates that supporters of doing away with the ban are now within one vote of success in the Senate.
From AP, on the House vote:
The House voted Wednesday to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that for 17 years has forced gays desiring to serve in the military to conceal their sexual identity.
The 250-175 vote propels the issue to the Senate for what could be the last chance for now to end the 1993 law that forbids recruiters from asking about sexual orientation while prohibiting soldiers from acknowledging that they are gay.
It's "the only law in the country that requires people to be dishonest or be fired if they choose to be honest," said Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO).
Democratic leaders in the Senate say they are committed to bringing the bill to the floor before Congress adjourns for the year. But they are challenged by opposition from some Republicans and a daunting agenda that includes finishing work on legislation to fund the government and ratifying a nuclear arms treaty with Russia.
Failure to overturn the policy this year could relegate the issue to the back burner next year when Republicans, who are far less supportive of allowing openly gay individuals to serve in the military, take over the House and gain strength in the Senate. Full article