DADT Repeal: Iraq Vet Takes the Lead in Congress

[White Eagle]

Here's a new look into DADT from a Iraq Vet in Congress. The other thread was about Obama. Let's keep this on Congress, please.
I don't normally prefix my threads to on-topic but I think this one needs it or it would become "Obama didn't do this...."

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2933&view=print

DADT Repeal: Iraq Vet Takes the Lead in Congress
by: Brandon Friedman
Wed Jul 08, 2009 at 11:41:38 AM EDT
As momentum builds toward an eventual repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), the first Iraq veteran elected to Congress, has now assumed the lead in sponsoring the bill.

"It is vital to our national security," Murphy said last week in his first interview since taking over the lead on the so-called Military Readiness Enhancement Act. "We have troops that are fighting in two wars ... and we need every qualified able-bodied individual who is able to serve."

So in other words, y'all go to your phones and PC's and contact your Congresscritters. That's what I plan on doing.

 

[construct]

This is great news. Let's work on getting this one through Congress and onto the President's desk. He knows it's the right thing to do. Now let's force him to do it.

 

[NickCole]

All right, let's have a few facts here.

This bill, H.R. 1283, has been in Congress since 2005 and its prime sponsor was Rep. Ellen Tauscher from California until she resigned last month to become "undersecretary of state for arms control and international security."

Some people in Congress, as I've posted here before, have been working hard to gather support for this, the bill has about 150 cosponsors to date and is still in subcommittee, but the way the administration is behaving about DADT is not encouraging it forward. Very unlikely it'll even come up for a vote this year no matter how many emails you send (not that you shouldn't send them).

Kudos to Murphy for taking over Tauscher's role and for his desire to make this happen, but he has no clout (which says something dismal about the future anybody in Congress sees for this bill), this legislation is four years old and Obama has done nothing to support it or lead it forward. Without Obama pressing for the repeal of DADT and DOMA, it's not going to happen. Obama's in the driver's seat.

 

[Apollo]

Wow, this is great news. I will definitely get on the email wagon to get this moving.

Now that we have someone ready to take up the cause, we can have this move forward.

Now that we have someone who will take this seriously and push it, it is not the time to say wait for Obama.

He will sign it, now lets give him something to sign.

 

[Kulindahr]

As of today, the bill has 150 sponsors. It has gone to the House Committee on Armed Services, where it was assigned to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

That's exactly where it went in 2007 -- and died. The way to push this is twofold:

1. if your representative is not a sponsor, write and tell him to stand up for America by supporting the principle that "all men are created equal", and joining as a sponsor (if your rep is a cosponsor, write and say "Thanks!")
   
2. write to the committee (find the members here), and urge them to see it through quickly, and to the subcommittee (here), and urge them to get it back up to the main committee with a recommendation to pass (if your rep is on either of those, that's who to write; if not, pick someone from as close by as you can find)

Then get friends to do the same.

Finally, write a letter to the editor to your local paper(s), telling people to write as well, because patriotic Americans who want to serve their country are being locked out.

 

[Kulindahr]

Meant to put this in the last post...

Here's a list of the bill's cosponsors:

Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] - 3/3/2009
Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Arcuri, Michael A. [NY-24] - 3/17/2009
Rep Baird, Brian [WA-3] - 3/12/2009
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 3/3/2009
Rep Becerra, Xavier [CA-31] - 6/16/2009
Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] - 3/3/2009
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Blumenauer, Earl [OR-3] - 3/3/2009
Rep Brady, Robert A. [PA-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Braley, Bruce L. [IA-1] - 6/8/2009
Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] - 3/3/2009
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] - 3/3/2009
Rep Carnahan, Russ [MO-3] - 4/27/2009
Rep Carson, Andre [IN-7] - 3/3/2009
Rep Castor, Kathy [FL-11] - 3/3/2009
Rep Christensen, Donna M. [VI] - 3/3/2009
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] - 3/3/2009
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [MO-5] - 3/3/2009
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 3/3/2009
Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] - 3/3/2009
Rep Courtney, Joe [CT-2] - 3/3/2009
Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] - 3/3/2009
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] - 3/3/2009
Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] - 4/27/2009
Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] - 3/3/2009
Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] - 3/3/2009
Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] - 3/6/2009
Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 3/3/2009
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3] - 3/3/2009
Rep Dicks, Norman D. [WA-6] - 3/9/2009
Rep Dingell, John D. [MI-15] - 3/3/2009
Rep Doggett, Lloyd [TX-25] - 4/2/2009
Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] - 3/3/2009
Rep Edwards, Donna F. [MD-4] - 3/3/2009
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 3/3/2009
Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] - 3/3/2009
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 3/3/2009
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 3/3/2009
Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] - 3/3/2009
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 3/3/2009
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 3/3/2009
Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. [TX-20] - 3/6/2009
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 3/3/2009
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 3/3/2009
Rep Hall, John J. [NY-19] - 3/3/2009
Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] - 3/3/2009
Rep Harman, Jane [CA-36] - 3/3/2009
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 3/3/2009
Rep Heinrich, Martin [NM-1] - 6/26/2009
Rep Higgins, Brian [NY-27] - 4/29/2009
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 3/3/2009
Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] - 3/3/2009
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 3/3/2009
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] - 3/3/2009
Rep Inslee, Jay [WA-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] - 3/3/2009
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] - 3/9/2009
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 3/9/2009
Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice [TX-30] - 3/3/2009
Rep Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [GA-4] - 3/3/2009
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. [MI-13] - 3/5/2009
Rep Kilroy, Mary Jo [OH-15] - 3/5/2009
Rep Klein, Ron [FL-22] - 6/9/2009
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] - 3/3/2009
Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] - 3/3/2009
Rep Larsen, Rick [WA-2] - 3/3/2009
Rep Larson, John B. [CT-1] - 6/23/2009
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 3/3/2009
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] - 3/3/2009
Rep Loebsack, David [IA-2] - 3/3/2009
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 3/3/2009
Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] - 3/3/2009
Rep Lujan, Ben Ray [NM-3] - 6/23/2009
Rep Lynch, Stephen F. [MA-9] - 3/3/2009
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 3/3/2009
Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] - 3/3/2009
Rep Massa, Eric J. J. [NY-29] - 3/23/2009
Rep Matsui, Doris O. [CA-5] - 3/3/2009
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] - 3/3/2009
Rep McCollum, Betty [MN-4] - 3/3/2009
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 3/3/2009
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 3/3/2009
Rep McMahon, Michael E. [NY-13] - 6/9/2009
Rep Meek, Kendrick B. [FL-17] - 3/3/2009
Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [NY-6] - 3/3/2009
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] - 3/3/2009
Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] - 3/23/2009
Rep Miller, George [CA-7] - 3/3/2009
Rep Moore, Gwen [WI-4] - 3/3/2009
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 3/3/2009
Rep Murphy, Christopher S. [CT-5] - 3/3/2009
Rep Murphy, Patrick J. [PA-8] - 3/3/2009
Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] - 3/3/2009
Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [CA-38] - 3/3/2009
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] - 3/3/2009
Rep Oberstar, James L. [MN-8] - 3/3/2009
Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6] - 3/3/2009
Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [NJ-8] - 3/3/2009
Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] - 3/3/2009
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] - 3/3/2009
Rep Peters, Gary C. [MI-9] - 5/13/2009
Rep Pingree, Chellie [ME-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Polis, Jared [CO-2] - 3/3/2009
Rep Price, David E. [NC-4] - 3/3/2009
Rep Quigley, Mike [IL-5] - 6/2/2009
Rep Richardson, Laura [CA-37] - 3/17/2009
Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18] - 3/3/2009
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] - 3/3/2009
Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille [CA-34] - 3/3/2009
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39] - 3/3/2009
Rep Sanchez, Loretta [CA-47] - 3/3/2009
Rep Sarbanes, John P. [MD-3] - 3/3/2009
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 3/3/2009
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 3/3/2009
Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] - 3/3/2009
Rep Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [VA-3] - 3/17/2009
Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] - 3/3/2009
Rep Sestak, Joe [PA-7] - 3/3/2009
Rep Shea-Porter, Carol [NH-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] - 3/3/2009
Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13] - 3/3/2009
Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [NY-28] - 3/3/2009
Rep Smith, Adam [WA-9] - 3/3/2009
Rep Snyder, Vic [AR-2] - 3/12/2009
Rep Speier, Jackie [CA-12] - 3/3/2009
Rep Stark, Fortney Pete [CA-13] - 3/3/2009
Rep Sutton, Betty [OH-13] - 3/3/2009
Rep Thompson, Mike [CA-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] - 3/3/2009
Rep Tonko, Paul D. [NY-21] - 3/17/2009
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 3/3/2009
Rep Tsongas, Niki [MA-5] - 3/3/2009
Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 3/3/2009
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] - 3/3/2009
Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20] - 3/3/2009
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] - 3/3/2009
Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] - 3/3/2009
Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] - 3/3/2009
Rep Welch, Peter [VT] - 3/3/2009
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 3/3/2009
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 3/3/2009
Rep Wu, David [OR-1] - 3/3/2009
Rep Yarmuth, John A. [KY-3] - 6/9/2009

source: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:HR01283:@@@P

I notice that my rep isn't on there. I don't care if he is new to Congress, he should get with the program!!

 

[Kulindahr]

Well, here's what I sent my rep:

I was looking at information concerning the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009 and was disappointed to see that you aren't listed as a cosponsor. With an Iraqi veteran sponsoring this important bill, it's one I feel you should be standing behind, and urging your fellow Representatives to do so as well.

This is a bill not just about letting patriotic Americans serve their country, putting their lives on the line for all of us, but about the foundational principles of the Republic -- that "all men are created equal", and that all have equal rights before the law.

Please, get your name added as part of the team joining with Bronze Star awardee, U.S. 82nd Airborne veteran Patrick Murphy, to get this piece of legislation passed and onto the President's desk!

 

[CaptainRush]

Interesting. Anything a Canadian can do? I'm guessing no.

 

[Kulindahr]

Interesting. Anything a Canadian can do? I'm guessing no.

If this was a foreign affairs matter, the answer would likely be yes. Since it's domestic, any letter from outside the country would be given about as much weight as the stamp.

The only possible exception I can think of would be if you're right over the line from a border state with someone on the committee... that might possibly give your letter a chance of actually being read.

 

[White Eagle]

Interesting. Anything a Canadian can do? I'm guessing no.

This post of yours means a lot to me. Thanks for your support on this forum.

 

[White Eagle]

As of today, the bill has 150 sponsors. It has gone to the House Committee on Armed Services, where it was assigned to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

That's exactly where it went in 2007 -- and died. The way to push this is twofold:

1. if your representative is not a sponsor, write and tell him to stand up for America by supporting the principle that "all men are created equal", and joining as a sponsor (if your rep is a cosponsor, write and say "Thanks!")
   
2. write to the committee (find the members here), and urge them to see it through quickly, and to the subcommittee (here), and urge them to get it back up to the main committee with a recommendation to pass (if your rep is on either of those, that's who to write; if not, pick someone from as close by as you can find)

Then get friends to do the same.

Finally, write a letter to the editor to your local paper(s), telling people to write as well, because patriotic Americans who want to serve their country are being locked out.

Kuli
Thanks for these links. I see my Rep, Ortiz is on the committee but not on the list as a co-sponsor. I see my work is cut out for me.

 

[Edward Twinkletoes]

Of course, he's still making an excuse about why it needs to be repealed instead of making it clear he's taking a stand for other people's rights.

 

[Apollo]

Of course, he's still making an excuse about why it needs to be repealed instead of making it clear he's taking a stand for other people's rights.

Who cares why he supports it. He supports it and thinks it's wrong.

Why are gay people so fucking picky?

 

[NickCole]

Who cares why he supports it. He supports it and thinks it's wrong.

Why are gay people so fucking picky?

It matters because if all they want is more bodies to send to war that's very different from fighting for equal rights, and that'll show up in access to benefits.

 

[Kulindahr]

Who cares why he supports it. He supports it and thinks it's wrong.

Why are gay people so fucking picky?

If he actually supports it, he'll sign on as a cosponsor, not just sneak around. Controversial legislation can live or die by the number of cosponsors, and to not sign on as one is a way of saying, "I don't really care".

 

[Apollo]

If he actually supports it, he'll sign on as a cosponsor, not just sneak around. Controversial legislation can live or die by the number of cosponsors, and to not sign on as one is a way of saying, "I don't really care".

I was under the impression the he is sponsoring it and is taking the lead on it? As in bringing it up in committee and getting some actual debate and information coming in for the committee to push this through to the floor for vote.

From the guys mouth:

In less than an hour [10:00 AM], we will officially announce that I am taking over as the chief sponsor for The Military Readiness Enhancement Act -- the bill that will finally repeal the policy known as "Don't Ask,Don't Tell." I have been speaking out against for many years against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" -- first as an ROTC cadet, then as a professor at West Point, and later as a candidate and a congressman. To now take the lead on such an important piece of legislation is an honor and a privilege beyond words.

This is going to be a busy day full of meetings and interviews. We'll even be launching a new website dedicated to this issue: LetThemServe.com. But before it all got started I wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to stand up and fight for the values we all believe in. I couldn't do this without you, and I'll never forget that.

This is from last year:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjqs1SqvVSQ&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

 

[Apollo]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZAygrxWq4A&feature=player_profilepage[/ame]

 

[Kulindahr]

I was under the impression the he is sponsoring it and is taking the lead on it? As in bringing it up in committee and getting some actual debate and information coming in for the committee to push this through to the floor for vote.

I misread the post I was replying to -- I thought it was referring to a rep who supported it but wasn't co-sponsoring.

 

[CaptainRush]

If this was a foreign affairs matter, the answer would likely be yes. Since it's domestic, any letter from outside the country would be given about as much weight as the stamp.

The only possible exception I can think of would be if you're right over the line from a border state with someone on the committee... that might possibly give your letter a chance of actually being read.

I doubt this will work even though I'm in Ontario. I could call my cousins in NY but I see they are already on there.

This post of yours means a lot to me. Thanks for your support on this forum.

Eh... No worries!

 

[Apollo]

I misread the post I was replying to -- I thought it was referring to a rep who supported it but wasn't co-sponsoring.

Oh not a problem. I had to check to make sure he was actually becoming the lead sponsor myself.