In search of good news to counter the steady stream of mendacity coming from Senator Chuck Grassley lately, I was pleased to see Representative Patrick Murphy (PA-08) tell the Huffington Post that a bill repealing the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy will reach President Obama's desk soon.
Excerpt from Sam Stein's story:
"This policy is going to be repealed in a short matter of time," Murphy said. As for service members who are being discharged because of their sexuality, Murphy said "If they can hold on, help is on the way. And help is going to come [from] the Congress and be signed into law by the president."
Murphy has 168 co-sponsors for legislation that would repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell", as well as several commitments from party leadership that the bill will come to a vote.
Murphy became the lead sponsor for H.R. 1283, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, last month after Representative Ellen Tauscher (CA-10) resigned to take a State Department position. Murphy announced plans to meet with every member of the House to discuss this issue and launched the Let Them Serve website. You can view the list of 168 House co-sponsors here.
The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to hold hearings on repealing DADT sometime this fall. Roll Call reported last month, "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has also signaled support for addressing the issue -- if the House sends over legislation first." I'll believe that when I see it, but getting a bill through the House would be a significant step in the right direction.
Speaking of DADT, this week blogger Lane Hudson challenged Bill Clinton at Netroots Nation, and Clinton defended his record on LGBT issues. You can read or watch the exchange here.