This is why the Defense bill was blocked
 

There's some members of DAP that have not gotten this, DREAM was not voted on today. I strongly believe it has a chance of passing as a standalone if it is voted on before the elections. So we have to keep calling, the only difference now is that we have to call Reid and Durbin and ask them to bring it up as a standalone, keep calling the rest of the Senate and ask them to support DREAM. Don't give up, let's keep fighting for our DREAM!




Senate blocks defense bill

Activists had closely watched vote on immigration, gay-rights issues.

By Ambreen Ali



The Senate has blocked the defense authorization bill 56-43, a vote closely watched by many activists.
Don't Ask Don't Tell dominated the Senate debate ahead of Tuesday's vote, but the bill (S. 3454) could have also tilted the balance on immigration and abortion.
As in years past, the Senate leadership used the popular defense bill to do a lot more than grant military spending. The reauthorization, which has passed annually since 1962, gave Democrats an opportunity to include legislation that may be blocked in a standalone bill.
Republicans filibustered the bill in protest of the maneuver and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) decision to limit amendments.
Here are nine issues it tackled:
Gay service members: The bill would have reversed the military's ban on openly gay Americans later this year, once the Pentagon certified that doing so won't harm the troops.
Abortion: It also allowed clinics on military bases to perform elective abortions as long as the patient pays for the procedure with private funds, a move that had mobilized anti-abortion groups against the bill.
Immigration: Democrats planned to include the DREAM Act (S. 729) as an amendment, giving immigrants under 35 a path to citizenship if they join the military or go to college for two years. To qualify, they must have come to the U.S. before the age of 16 and be living here for five years.
National security: The $725.7 billion authorization plan parted slightly with what President Barack Obama wanted. One controversial aspect was the Armed Services Committee's decision to halve the $2 billion request for Iraqi forces.
Equipment: The Senate version did not include money for F-35 alternative engines or C-17 military transport planes, two programs President Obama has called wasteful. The House version (H.R. 5136) passed in May funds the F-35 program.
Military pay: The bill included a 1.4 percent pay raise for the troops as requested by the president, and the Senate was expected to add targeted bonuses. The House proposed a 1.9 percent increase.
Border security: The White House opposes a requirement in the bill, written by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), to deploy 6,000 troops to combat drug trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Detainees: The president also criticized an attempt by senators to limit where Guantanamo detainees can be sent upon release.
Secret holds: Another bill that could have been wrapped in as an amendment was S. 3657, which would curb the Senate's use of secret holds on nominations and bills. The holds let lawmakers block matters from coming to the floor without explaining their objections.
http://www.congress.org/news/2010/09...s_defense_bill

Re: This is why the Defense bill was blocked
 

agreed.. hopefully Reid can bring out a stand alone bill b4 November.. i think if the FINAL VOTE is anywhere after the November elections we have no chance because then the new republican majority will be casting the final vote.

Re: This is why the Defense bill was blocked
 

This is exactly what I keep posting. DA was never voted on and conveniently attached to a bill that had nowhere to go given the opposition, rather than passing DA alone. This is why they voted DADT *first* and not DA. The Dems had already discussed passing a resolution to continue to provide funding since it looked like the DoD bill didn't have enough votes.

Re: This is why the Defense bill was blocked
 

Yep... the outcome was awful. I don't understand why some people here said they never had high hopes. The whole point is to really want it. To want it with sweat blood and tears. To want it so bad that you'll go out to the rally's, tell everyone you know and call, fax and email everyday. Nothing will fall into our laps. Especially when the religious bigots take over. It's definitely not over. It was fucked up, being gay, handicapped, illegal. We're not second class, we can't let them get away with this. Keep up the fight!

Re: This is why the Defense bill was blocked
 

Everyone, just because the elections are in November that does not mean that any new members of congress automatically gain power should they win. The current senate stays in power until January only then will the new members of congress have voting power.

Re: This is why the Defense bill was blocked
 

In any case,

Act now! Dial: 1-202-224-3121 and ask to speak with Senator Reid from NV: “Hi I am calling to ask that senator Reid stop playing politics with the DREAM Act. I am calling to ask that he immediately bring it up for a vote. Thank you.”

www.dreamactivist.org

Re: This is why the Defense bill was blocked
 

well reid just mixed too much shit together, DADT (already in the bill) and abortions in military hospitals (also already in the bill), killed the whole thing

Re: This is why the Defense bill was blocked
 

Defense bill was blocked due to 1 reason : political drama...bi-partisan politics, oh how I love thee......

One thing I want to say is though..even though Republicans are bunch of asswipes that change their stance on issues however they fit (just like 90% of the politicians)..but they are normally WAY more unified than the Democrats.

Democrats held 59 seats...FITTY NINE..with ONE republican supporter, they can pass any bill they desire. And yet, look what's happening. Just lol..

Re: This is why the Defense bill was blocked
 

I'm glad to be reading very optimistic posts even though we didn't have a successful cloture vote on the defense authorization bill. We all know this isn't going to be an easy task but it's definately not impossible. I think we've all realized this after todays comments by some senators after their vote. We are Very close to accomplishing our goal. Like some fellow dreamers are saying our next step now is to keep calling, emailing, faxing etc. aslong as u know you are doing something personally to help pass the Dream Act. I believe we have a real good chance if the bill its put on the floor as a stand alone bill. So let's concentrate on making sure this message is heard by Majority Leader Harry Reid and his colleagues. One last thing let's get something out of the vote that was done today. Has anybody realized the most important fact of the Dream Act? We are willing to put our Live's at risk for this great country by enrolling in the military. Now the question to whoever opposes the Dream Act is, How Can you Say or even worse Vote NO to that?

Re: This is why the Defense bill was blocked
 

is it possible to pass this through reconciliation like that other bill?