Reid Clarifies His Position On DADT: ‘We Would Welcome A Legislative Proposal From The White House’
Reid Clarifies His Position On DADT: ‘We Would Welcome A Legislative Proposal From The White House’
During a press conference yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) attracted attention when a reporter asked him whether the Senate will be pushing for a bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT):
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid speaking at a press conference Monday said he has no plans to introduce a bill to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell” in the Senate.
“I haven’t identified any sponsors,” he said. “My hope is that it can be done administratively.“
The Obama administration has repeatedly resisted calls to suspend DADT by executive order. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs last month said that President Obama is looking for a “durable legislative solution,” and Obama himself has written that repeal of the policy “needs Congressional action.”
Many LGBT bloggers immediately criticized Reid’s comments, saying that Obama and Congress were “playing hot potato over DADT.”
Today in a statement to ThinkProgress, Reid’s office clarified the senator’s remarks, saying that what he is looking for is a “legislative proposal” from the White House. Additionally, while the Senate does not currently have a bill introduced, “a number” of senators are working on one:
While we do not have a Don’t Ask Don’t Tell bill introduced in the Senate yet, a number of Senators are working on an approach to get it repealed. We would welcome a legislative proposal from the White House on repeal so as to provide clear guidance on what the President would like to see and when. Working together, I believe we can find the time to get repeal done in this Congress.
One of the major obstacles to introducing a bill in the Senate has been finding a willing Republican co-sponsor. The House already has a bill to repeal DADT. “If the House moves on this,” said Reid, “I would be happy to take it up.”
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I have something to remind Democrats that has been missing from the discussion, especially about the Senate voting 90-6 AGAINST funding closing Guantanamo:
Senator Dick Durbin, whom I trust for the most part, put it plainly on NPR, that the reason the Democrats ‘betrayed’ Obama by ‘refusing’ to fund closing Guantanamo had NOTHING to do with the Republicans’ whining and grinding and toothless threats.
It was because Obama has yet to show a concrete benchmarked plan of what he would do with the money, what exactly would happen, etc, etc. Obama has not produced a White House plan of how closing Guantanamo would work–so how, or even why should the Senate give him a blank check without a working plan?
The Democrats most certainly did not stab Obama in the back on that one. Obama has dropped the ball, more or less, although I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt because of all those OTHER balls he has up in the air these days.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:16 pmMy comment may SEEM off-topic, but Obama sending legislation proposals to the Senate is how it works in Washington. That, and every time I heard the story of that 90-something vote, it’s spun as a betrayal by Senate/Congressional Democrats against Obama. And that sound bite takes six words to communicate, while the reality takes six sentences or so.
Humbug!
June 16th, 2009 at 4:19 pmReid is the problem and he IS playing hot potato.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:29 pmHe is a most ineffective senate leader.
Insted of alleviating some of the heat on Obama in consdieration of everything he has to deal with simultaneously, Reid just piles it on.
So, it sounds like more pressure needs to be applied to Congress to get the ball moving on this legislation… The House has a bill to repeal DADT, and it’s just sitting there???
June 16th, 2009 at 4:30 pmI have changed my views. The great intellectual insight from Think Progress has caused me to reconsider my ideas. I am now a Progressive since I like being on the winning side and you guys kick ass. I will agree with everything Think Progress supports. I am sorry for being a conservative, I was wrong and admit it.
Long live our great leader, President Barrack Hussein Obama!
June 16th, 2009 at 4:32 pmok – reading the headline, first reaction: WTF harry! LEAD!!!
reading the last sentence, question: WHY does he need a REPUBLICAN so-sponsor? (serious question)
June 16th, 2009 at 4:33 pm…
The ball’s in your court, Mr. President. Will you please step up and fulfill one of your campaign promises?
PEACE
June 16th, 2009 at 4:35 pmI would like to know from the Senate Majority Leader, one of the top law gurus of the country, what administrative action the president could take to thwart established law?
I do agree with his ultimatum, however — why isn’t the House moving on this? The obstacles to passage are virtually non-existent in that chamber. Nancy?
June 16th, 2009 at 4:36 pmGood job, Reid. Pass that buck, you corporate-suck eunuch.
When are we going to demand more of these cowards than what the compliant MSM spoon feeds us?
Reid certainly complied fast enough for every single bush insanity that came down the pike…Pelosi too. But now, the gutless wonder majority can’t seem to get the people’s will past the committee phase, while the torture party passed all manner of abominations, whether the people or even the law allowed for it.
Funny how that works…
Dump Reid’s sorry ass and put Feingold in his place. I want a real America back, not this Bagram-detention, torture-excusing, telecom-immunity-supporting, bush-policy-embracing, spineless secrecy gaggle that the leadershi(t) dems have suckered people into voting into office.
Dump Pelosi and appoint Kucinich. Be decisive for once Barack, even without consulting your corporate or republican masters.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:37 pmDraft a bill. Present the bill. Make Reps and Senators go on record as to their position on the bill. Let constituents decide whether or not to keep their representatives.
That’s the formula for this issue, healthcare reform, and everything else. If you don’t want to put yourself out front, Congress critters, then step aside and give someone who is willing the opportunity.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:38 pmThey’re acting like drafting the thing requires some magical skill, like they’re trying to write poetry or something. Just repeal the part where the rule is written. Should take any competent lawyer about an hour to draft it up all official-like.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:39 pmThe people voted the dems in and they want action done in their name. It doesn’t make a lick of sense to sidestep the people’s vote, the people’s will just because the bitter republicans won’t sign on. Of course they won’t sign on, they’re hypnotized Bush bots who refuse treatment. They’re on withdrawal from the power feed of the last eight years.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:40 pmWhile Obama has a role to play, it is important that we not hold him accountable for things he is not doing that are not part of his actual powers as President. He can propose laws, but he can not make them. DADT has to be changed as a law if there is going to be any real positive change. Obama should be held to account for his lack of effort to use his bully pulpit on this but it is more in the hands of Reid and Pelosi to actually get the law changed.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:42 pmSam:
June 16th, 2009 at 4:43 pmIam sorry. I really did wish you better luck last time but this tripe is even less sincere then the last bullshit. It might be best if you just give it up…
Sam
Were you under the delusion you were clever? Do you really not realize how stupid and pathetic you are? Stop embarassing yourself and just STFU you ignorant punkass troll
June 16th, 2009 at 4:45 pmI’m not looking to the Obama administration on this anymore, his solicitor general and Justice Dept. as a whole don’t know how to choose their battles wisely. They may see merit in challenges to DOMA, for example, but they don’t want to be seen as the big guvmint agency standing down to the little guy, so they fight it anyway. Either that, or the justice dept. remains staffed with Bush rank-and-files.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:47 pmbetter get out of the doctor business my friend…
June 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pmSam = Trajan = Latin King ™ loser.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pmStupidAssMoron=SAM
June 16th, 2009 at 4:52 pmHi Proud
June 16th, 2009 at 4:53 pmWho dat?
June 16th, 2009 at 4:53 pmProud seems to be failing to read for content. I think Proud mighthave an agenda that prevents him from seeing that many do not walk in the lockstep he wishes…
June 16th, 2009 at 4:53 pmSay what?
June 16th, 2009 at 4:53 pmProudMoron once again drops by to show just how stupid and brainwashed a RepubliSCUM punk he is. No brain, no self respect. Proud shove it up your tarhole you ignorant pustulent seeping herpes sore.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:54 pmThe last eight years, Proud, we weren’t merely blaming a republican, we were rightfully pointing out that George Bush was bringing this country to its knees. You remain loyal to him, and the joke is on you.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:55 pmSam = Trajan = Latin King ™ loser
June 16th, 2009 at 4:55 pmFor real what is this knucklehead’s deal.How many countless hours has this poser spent seeking attention and disruption here? Seems like some serious mental illness perhaps rendering them unemployable. Oh and old school hiphop still sucks…
I forgot that everything is Bushs fault and Obama is not to be held responsible for anything.
He’s responsible for turning back Bush’s policies. If you’re implying that Obama is just as responsible for causing Bush’s mess when he entered the federal government in 2005, you’re dumber than we previously thought. Thanks for achieving a new low.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:56 pmI forgot that everything is Bushs fault and Obama is not to be held responsible for anything. — quoting Proud.
Sorry.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:59 pmProudMoron is nothing but a stupid punkass troll. Stupid even by troll standards and more brainwashed than any lemming. How miserable it must be to live life as stupid and pathetic as he is
June 16th, 2009 at 5:00 pmAmericasBack
June 16th, 2009 at 5:00 pmI am sort of bummed that softshell season just ended but bring on those hardshell jimmies. Beautiful swimmers indeed…
Hi Proud.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:01 pmOh come now Eugene, I would argue that Proud is considerably brighter than Sam in all Sam’s configurations…
June 16th, 2009 at 5:02 pmdbadass even if that were true and I am not so sure that would be like being power forward on the all midget basketball team his stupid is monumental
June 16th, 2009 at 5:03 pmhanshiro the antlion says, “Be decisive for once Barack, even without consulting your corporate or republican masters.”
I wonder if America will ever see the day when our politicians represent the people instead of corporations. There doesn’t appear to be any incentive for them to help the poor, working class, or middle class any more. And every corporate puppet that gets voted out, gets replaced by another one.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:04 pmdbadass,
June 16th, 2009 at 5:05 pmBad news, I’m not the person you speak of. I really have had an ephiphany, unlike Proud who is still brainwashed. The Progressive movement is the future and I want to be part of it. I like being on the winning side and you are the winners!
OK, let’s look at the status sheet. President Obama says he’s waiting for Congress to act on DADT. Now Reid says he’s waiting for the President to do something.
Was this how the various civil rights bills of the 50’s and 60’s got passed? I don’t think so, since they DID get passed.
It’s obvious that each side is waiting for the other to make the first move and thereby get stuck with the political fallout. But what I don’t understand is that with a majority of people in the country supporting the idea of qualified gays openly serving alongside qualified straights in the military (even Republicans!), why would there be political fallout?
Most people care more about ending the wars that we’re involved in, getting affordable health insurance, and getting (or keeping) a job than they do about this issue. And the ones who do care are the ones who are sick and tired of skilled and experienced soldiers getting kicked out because of what they are. This should be a no-brainer.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:05 pmIs it stupid or is it something a little more pathological? Proud may actually believe Proud’s crap and if so goodfor Proud. Sam and all Sam’s manifestations are just attention getting mechanisms.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:06 pmOh Please Sam, Can we cut the bullshit. Your bait will catch no fish…
June 16th, 2009 at 5:07 pm19. PatrioticLiberalChristianMantisReligiosa Says: While Obama has a role to play, it is important that we not hold him accountable for things he is not doing that are not part of his actual powers as President.
Stop it. Just stop it.
Obama has, more than once “lent” his displeasure concerning issues that “are not part of his actual powers.” To believe that suddenly he’s maintaining some strict division amongst his various bills and issues is to believe in the tooth fairy.
The dems went along with telecom immunity because the chosen party leader, Obama, backed it at the time in the Senate.
To pretend he cannot exert influence, or worse to believe he chooses not to out of some righteous conviction is…well…crap.
There’s no other word for it.
The dems will not do what they are elected to do, else, why do you suppose we’re getting the thinnest of excuses time after time, recycling debunked bush whining?
“We need a majority to get things done!” We gave them that.
“We need a dem president to get things done!” We gave them that.
“We need more time to get things done.” We gave them that.
“We…er…need more stuff…um..it’s all the republican’s fault…”
Nope. We have been had.
Wake up.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pmdbadass,
I have only posted here this since last weekend. I was on realclear politics and think progress was linked to some story. I really have changed, I am on the losing side. I want to be on the winning side.
Being a 23 year old Conservative is hard, everyoen mocks and insults you. The Girls don’t like conseravtive men. I have changed sides becaue its socillay more acceptable to be a Progressives than a Conservative. I have jumped off the Titanic before it sinks.
One week on Think Progress has changed my views.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:13 pmhanshiro the antlion:
June 16th, 2009 at 5:13 pmI genuinely respect your clearly heartfelt and noble ideals and I share most of them. I wonder though if you might point to a time in history where any administration has achieved that which you hope for and that which should be?
I look forward to what I know will be a thoughtful reply.
Sam:
June 16th, 2009 at 5:14 pmIt is tiresome. Just be yourself around the ladies. Maybe try and dance like Napolean Dynamite. Otherwise can you please just give it a rest?
dbadass,
June 16th, 2009 at 5:20 pmConservatives aren’t considered cool. Progressives is what is in, I like being with the winners and not losers,
Somewhat sideways OT.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:22 pmThis feeds into my theory about low voter turnout. If our elected representatives don’t actually follow through on the promises they make while campaigning, why bother to vote for them? Or vote at all? We are not being represented.
“One of the major obstacles to introducing a bill in the Senate has been finding a willing Republican co-sponsor.”
Mmmmm, Larry Craig comes to mind.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:23 pmSo why does the bill HAVE TO HAVE a Republic co-sponsor? I don’t remember the Republics acting like that when Bush was President. They pretty much did anything they wanted to do all the while giving the Democrats the finger.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:34 pm51. dbadass Says: hanshiro the antlion:
I genuinely respect your clearly heartfelt and noble ideals and I share most of them. I wonder though if you might point to a time in history where any administration has achieved that which you hope for and that which should be? I look forward to what I know will be a thoughtful reply.
My point is not to condemn Obama for what I hope for. My condemnation stems from the bill of goods and interminable goalpost shifting that the dem leadershi(t) has indulged in when confronted with actually fulfilling their promises. Promises they employed to bilk me out of my vote and gain my confidence.
The republicans actually got the most horrific legislation passed, despite the will of the public being against them, from torture to the bankruptcy bill, the medicare bill, Iraq, etc.
Yet the dems, with a majority in both houses and a dem president, aren’t doing squat but capitulating in typical jellyfish fashion. Not to mention covering bush’s crimes and sitting on their hands while evidence disappears, (or is blocked by Obama) daily. It’s a nauseating thing to witness. Infuriating.
No more excuses. Do what you promised or step down. Tar and feathers would be even better.
The reason they keep doing this crap is because we keep giving them a pass. People died who conceivably didn’t have to because the dem leadershi(t) sat on their hands and played “strategy,” rather than take a principled and rightful stand to defend the Constitution at every single turn.
To paraphrase ‘V,’ they aren’t afraid of us, and they should be.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:38 pmProud Says:
I forgot that everything is Bushs fault and Obama is not to be held responsible for anything.
Actually, unlike you Borg Republics, the Democrats hold our own for the things they do wrong. That’s why there has been a lot of criticism of Reid for his lack of leadership skills and of President Obama for not taking a firm stand on things he promised to do.
Can you tell me of even one time the Republics stood up to Bush about anything? Thought not.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:39 pmSam Says:
Being a 23 year old Conservative is hard, everyoen mocks and insults you. The Girls don’t like conseravtive men. I have changed sides…
Well, congratulations. I know it must have been hard to give up your much-beloved ignorance like that. Best of luck. I recommend you stop giving any political opinions at all until you learn how to think first. Sit down and listen to grownups for a while. Maybe you’ll eventually learn how do things like to talk to girls or not sound like a knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing, drooling imbecile.
.
PatrioticLiberalChristianMantisReligiosa Says:
DADT has to be changed as a law if there is going to be any real positive change.
Even if the President did it by Executive Order, it would still be a situation where the law still says gays have to be kicked out, except that the current President is allowing them in anyways. If Obama made that exception, there’d be no pressure whatsoever on Congress to propose a more permanent fix, with all of the existing pressure against it unchanged. Discrimination would still be, technically, written into the law.
.
Proud Says:
Usually I engage you, but this time I flag. That’s nothing but insults against the (D) party without addressing the topic (or any topic) at all. I have no idea how your post is supposed to be relevant to anything.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:43 pmOk folks, please stop giving Sam the attention he so dearly craves. Just ignore the little snot and he will get bored and go home.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:43 pmkaty Says:
… question: WHY does he need a REPUBLICAN so-sponsor?
(serious question)
…
June 16th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
really … serious question… i’ll check later… thanks.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:49 pm.
ha! well, bilbo, maybe one of us will get an answer…
June 16th, 2009 at 5:50 pmIt’s the job of Congress to change laws.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:58 pmHarry Reid has once again shown himself to be a spineless worm.
His job should be given to someone who is not afraid to do it instead of always looking for a way to pass the buck.
What a twat!
Sam says:
I’m not the person you speak of
Isn’t it an odd coincidence, the same exact phrase used by Trajan75?
June 16th, 2009 at 6:05 pm#53 – Sam Says:
——————————————————
“Conservatives aren’t considered cool. Progressives is what is in, I like being with the winners and not losers,”
June 16th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I think you need to re-evaluate your core values. “Being cool” should not define your political beliefs, because then you’ll find that you have no foundation on which to stand when you debate someone who disagrees with your positions.
Personally, I don’t agree with everything the Democrats do, but at least the Democratic party allows desent and differing views. The Republican party is turning itself (or exposing itself) for the “You’d better agree with us or get out!” party.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:08 pmSam
You ignorant piece of flith you arent clever. You are stupid. You are pathetic. You are a punkass troll. Just STFU
June 16th, 2009 at 6:23 pmProudMoron
You have said lots of stupid things many times. You are bone ignorant. You THINK if you keep saying it somehow it will magically become true.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:41 pmWait a minute. I haven’t read the links provided, but haven’t we been over this before? Wouldn’t repealing DADT put us back where we were before? Wouldn’t that mean that military members who were gay could be kicked out if someone found out they were gay?
There needs to be legislation written to allow gays to serve openly in the military. That would make DADT irrelevant. If the military were on board with the legislation it would be enforced to the letter. If not, it would be a mess. For whatever it’s worth, the military resents civilian pressure to change military culture. Desegregating and integrating women into the armed forces was their idea, so military leaders had no problem telling troops who bucked the change to get in line or get out.
With time, I think this administration can convince military leaders that they want gays to serve openly in the military because it’s advantageous to them. Right now, the troops are burned out, and the military is having a lot of serious problems with two wars that civilians ran very poorly. Once convinced and ready, military leaders could have their lawyers write the legislation for our lazy congress.
I feel for the gay community, but I really want a public health care plan passed right now. And I want the military to be completely committed to gays in the military before passing legislation that requires the military to allow gays to serve openly.
June 16th, 2009 at 7:07 pmYes Wiley you are right. Simply repealing the law would land us exactly where we were before. The UCMJ hasn’t been updated to reflect modern thinking in ages. I’m shocked C4P hasn’t come in here yet quoting studies he hasn’t actully read.
Proud Says:
Welcome to the land of the Dumbocrats where stupid reigns supreme. So sad that you no longer have a Republican in the White House to blame everything on. You have control and now you can’t get anything done. Obama, Reid, Pelosi do quite the excellent impersonation of the three stooges, way to go guys. But I digress, I forgot that everything is Bushs fault and Obama is not to be held responsible for anything.
We’re stupid? Did you pay attention the last eight years? We don’t blindly support everything Obama does. If you’d actually read you would know that. Bush is responsible for the screwed up economy, lies that lead us into way and hundreds of thousands of deaths… should I go on?
June 16th, 2009 at 8:13 pmwiley Says:
Wait a minute. I haven’t read the links provided, but haven’t we been over this before? Wouldn’t repealing DADT put us back where we were before? Wouldn’t that mean that military members who were gay could be kicked out if someone found out they were gay?
There needs to be legislation written to allow gays to serve openly in the military.
Easy. Just pass a law striking the law that says gays can’t serve in the military. Just delete it. Problem solved.
And Reid tells us “they’re working on it” and they’d “like to see a draft from the WH” as if it’s some difficult wording that’s the problem.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:01 pmI’ll go for that, ElBruce. But seriously, the military leadership needs to be behind it. It will take a lot of top-down pressure to make it safe for gays to serve openly. Unfortunately, the military has lowered its standards, and is plagued by problems with gangs, white supremacists, and criminals. A lot of soldiers have done three or four combat tours and they’re a mess. Suicide is a problem. Sexual harassment and rape of women serving is a problem.
I don’t know if the military is as Republican and rigid as it is being portrayed. It was nothing like that when I was in. Military leaders need to clean house. Allowing gays to serve openly would likely lead to more quality personnel who want to serve for better reasons than proving that they’re macho heterosexual males, but if the military leaders aren’t committed to it, then enforcement will be inadequate. The military is proving to be inadequate at protecting women who are serving by punishing rape.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:19 pmHmmm. Both Obama and Reid claim to support repealing DADT, yet neither seems willing to take ownership.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:37 pmSomeone needs to step up and have the courage of their convictions…
Daddy-O could you tell me just when it was that the Pres. started being the one to disperse money from the government.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:02 pmAmericasBack
June 19th, 2009 at 11:25 pmso if you are so smart who did open gitmo.
I bet you say Bush.
To bad it has been part of the US since 1898 and William McKinley, Jr was pres when it was open.
Bilbo Hussein Baggins said
Can you tell me of even one time the Republics stood up to Bush about anything?
If he can’t i can. Republicans were standing up all over the place to Bush about his stimulus.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:47 pmNext.
kdgamergirl said
We’re stupid? Did you pay attention the last eight years? We don’t blindly support everything Obama does. If you’d actually read you would know that. Bush is responsible for the screwed up economy, lies that lead us into way and hundreds of thousands of deaths… should I go on?
I would love for you to go on. It shows just how uneducated you really are.
Here I will let one of your own Liberls explain it to you and than you can call him a lier.
Paul Krugman, author of The Conscience of a Liberal,would never be confused with a loyal backer of the economic policies of President Bush.
Krugman says it’s true that the U.S. economy is a mess, but it’s not true that the bad economy is entirely President Bush’s fault.
The causes of the poor economic performance, in Krugman’s view: the housing bubble and its end, rising health care costs, and skyrocketing raw material prices.
http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/08/nyt-s-krugman-slumping-u-s-economy-not-entirely-of-bush-s-maki/
So do yourself a favor and stop drinking the democrat cool aid and start using your brain for once in your life.
June 20th, 2009 at 12:07 amkdgamergirl Says:
Bush is responsible for the screwed up economy, lies that lead us into way and hundreds of thousands of deaths…
As to you saying that Bush lead us into way and hundreds of thousands of deaths.
June 20th, 2009 at 12:23 amI am assuming that you are talking about the war in Iraq.
Well all you libs want to hang for war crimes and are mad because the dems aren’t doing a thing about it.
Here is why number one and this is the big one so listen up. He was following the LAW. That is right he was obeying the law that your buddy slick willie signed. It is called the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998. Which states The Act declared that it was the Policy of the United States to support “regime change.” The Act was passed 360-38 in the U.S. House of Representatives [3] and by unanimous consent in the Senate. [4] US President Bill Clinton signed the bill into law on October 31, 1998. The law’s stated purpose was: “to establish a program to support a transition to democracy in Iraq.” Specifically, Congress made findings of past Iraqi military actions in violation of International Law and that Iraq had denied entry of United Nations Special Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM) inspectors into its country to inspect for weapons of mass destruction. Congress found: “It should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime.”