Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Throws Support Behind DADT Moratorium

Not long ago, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made it clear that he could not find anyone to sponsor the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. The bill would repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Recently, New York Senator Kirsten Gilibrand announced that she was seeking to put an amendment on the Defense Reauthorization Bill that would put a hold on enforcement of DADT for eighteen months. That is, until after the 2010 midterm elections, gays and lesbians serving in the military would not be discharged for the “crime” of homosexuality. Today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that he is backing this amdenment.

This defense bill is one of those absolute must pass bills. If the bill does not pass, the Department of Defense would be shut down. Despite cries from the Republicans in opposition to this amendment, but any attempt to scuttle this bill could easily result in the political suicide for many politicians.

As of Monday, Gilibrand was still considering whether she was going to put this amendment into the bill. The support of Senator Reid all but assures that this amendment will move forward, and, with a sixty member majority in the Senate, the likelihood of a filibuster seems even more remote than it does simply due to the nature of the bill.

Reid said, “I feel on this issue that we’re having trouble, we’re having trouble getting people into the military and I think that we shouldn’t turn down anybody that’s willing to fight for our country — certainly based on sexual orientation. I feel strongly that — I support the president. I support the members of the Joint Chiefs who have not spoken out publicly. If Kirsten offers this amendment I will support it, at least as far as I understand it. What you’ve just told me, it would basically change the current policy for 18 months, is that right? I would support that. My only difference I would have is I would make it permanent.”

Many Capitol Hill Democrats are opposed to the Pentagon policy known as DADT; however, the ability to get the MREA through Congress may be delayed largely due to a combination of local politics and the hectic political calendar this year. President Barack Obama has come under a great deal of pressure from LGBT Rights groups because of his campaign promises.

On Wednesday, July 15th, a meeting is scheduled at 10 A.M. to discuss this amendment.

Both Sei and Paula Brooks contributed to this article.