Newsmakers of the Year

 Senators Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins

When the Senate earlier this month failed a second time to pass the national defense bill — of which “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal was attached — many pundits and players alike declared the movement to end DADT dead for 2010. It took the work of many on the Hill, including two senators — a Republican from Maine and a Democrat-turned-Independent from Connecticut — to put pessimism on hold by introducing a stand-alone repeal bill. At the December 22 ceremony, Collins (pictured right) in particular was welcomed as a hero.