Tweet
And Rep. Frank is joined by Representatives Tammy Baldwin, Jared Polis and David Cicilline. From Congressman Frank’s communications office (via email):
Congressman Barney Frank today released a letter addressed to President Obama, requesting that he formally threaten to veto the Defense Authorization bill if it contains language that could undermine the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Frank was joined in his appeal to the President by Representatives Tammy Baldwin, Jared Polis and David Cicilline.After the successful repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law last year, House Republicans in the 112th Congress have refrained from mounting a direct attempt to reinstate the law. However, House Republicans successfully inserted language into the Defense Authorization bill – “must pass” legislation — that would make repeal very difficult in practice.
In his statement of administration policy on the Defense Authorization bill, President Obama expressed his opposition to the Republican provisions that would effectively block repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” However, the President stopped short of specifically stating that he would veto the final bill when it is passed by both the House and Senate if that bill includes the current House language.
In the conclusion of their letter to the President, Representatives Frank, Baldwin, Polis and Cicilline write:
“But because this issue is so important in so many ways, we think it would be the best course for you to reaffirm your strong support of the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” by making it explicit that you would veto a bill in the unlikely event that it came to you, which undermined the decision that you led us to make last year – namely a military that does not discriminate unfairly and does not turn away patriotic, productive Americans seeking to serve their country.”
I put the letter up on Scribd:
9 Comments
Obama *wants* DADT to remain in placeHis history of footdragging on the subject makes that crystal clear. The one and only reason he signed the alleged repeal was be cause he could not have vetoed it without looking like a screaming hypocrite.
So now, the Republicans are giving him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to scuttle the still-unimplemented repeal. The US military remains a heterosexual-only priviledge and he gets to tell the few remaining deluded GLBT supporters that “I tried, I really tried. Now, will you be donating by cash, check or credit card?”
Veto? One doesn’t veto one’s own bills.
I have to disagree.The last thing he wants right before an election is a major failure on an issue that the majority of voters agree about: DADT needs to go.
Obama will stand up to the GOP. Sure he will.After all, he’s done it time after time. He’s never given them even one thing they wanted. He hasn’t caved to them even one teensy-weensy, itsy-bitsy little time. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to meet Alice, the March Hare and the Dormouse for an unbirthday party.
Wrong storySurely, your appointment is with delegates from the Lullaby League and the Lollypop Guild?
Agree with TechBear…Major failure before an election??? Most people think that Obama has already repealed DADT….just because it really hasn’t…this defense bill will roll right on through. Status remains quo.
…and I suspect that “most people think” will be enough.LGBT voters are a small group, and Obama can be fairly confident that not many of us will be voting for a Santorum or a Bachmann. Our friends and families, however, are a much larger group — along with people who just generally don’t want to think of themselves as homophobes, they’re worth paying attention to. However, Obama doesn’t have to actually make DADT repeal happen to keep the friends-and-family sector thinking warm and fuzzy thoughts about him — he just has to make them think that repeal has happened, which is much easier.
Sorry, but my ruby slippers are out being resoled.
Frank’s position is silly……and assumes that the President needs to engange in pointless posturing. There is no need to threaten nuclear retaliation when its obvious that the conflict wont get anywhere near that level.
The Republican provisions are DOA in the Senate and Frank knows that. He’s just asking for a PR stunt wich is certainly not necessary.
ActuallyI think he’s sending a signal that allowing this won’t go unrecognized or unremarked.