DADT Votes “Too Close to Call”; Congressional Call Swarm

As the effort to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy enters a critical week, votes in the Senate and House remain too close to call, and advocates led by Servicemembers United are urging people to contact their representatives beginning at 10 A.M. on Monday.

As The Washington Post reports, “the Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to vote by the end of the week on an amendment to the annual defense spending bill that would end 'don't ask, don't tell,' which Congress passed in 1993. Chairman Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.) favors a repeal, but it is unclear whether he has enough votes, with six senators on the panel considered undecided, legislative sources said.

“The House is expected to vote on a similar measure this week, based on a repeal proposal sponsored by Rep. Patrick J. Murphy (D-Pa.), an Iraq war veteran. The House Armed Services Committee declined to act on Murphy's bill in passing its version of the defense spending measure last week, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has told gay advocacy groups that she will allow a floor vote if there is enough support in favor of a repeal.”

Meanwhile, Servicemembers United is leading the "GIVE 'EM HELL - Congressional Call Swarm" campaign to urge people to flood congressional offices with phone calls in support of repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Check out the campaign page for full instructions.