Lieberman Claims Dems Have "More Than 60 Votes" For DADT Repeal
The Hill reports:
Senate Democrats are confident they have at least 60 votes for a Defense Department authorization measure that includes a repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
“I am confident that we have more than 60 votes prepared to take up the defense authorization bill with the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal, if only there is a guarantee of a fair and open amendment process,” Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.), an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said at a Thursday morning press conference. “I repeat, there’s more than 60 senators, I’m convinced, who are prepared to vote for this bill including ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Lieberman acknowledged that Republicans are insisting on a deliberate, protracted debate on the Clinton-era policy, which is tucked into a massive measure that authorizes policy, spending and benefits for the military.
Republicans are expected to insist on the right to offer a long list of amendments and force votes on them. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has threatened a filibuster the policy, which bans openly gay people from serving in the military.
McCain offered no change of position to The Hill on Thursday during an interview.
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