The Senate votes tomorrow on whether to consider the Defense Authorization Bill, which contains provisions that will eventually allow the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. If that vote succeeds, they will also vote on whether to include the Dream Act, allowing younger undocumented immigrants who have grown up in the United States to remain here legally. Each vote will require a supermajority of 60 to succeed.
This last week Lady Gaga has been relentless in exhorting her YouTube and Twitter followers to contact their Senators and demand the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. And while the Daily Kos community may not have near the power of Lady Gaga nee Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (who does?), we too can make our voices heard loud and clear.
BREAKING VIA TWITTER: @ladygaga Meet me in Portland, Maine 2moro, 9/20 to help repeal #DADT. I'm holding a Rally + speaking live in Deering Oaks Park http://bit.ly/...
-- Lady Gaga to her 6.3 million followers today
This is it. If this vote fails, it is entirely likely that Don't Ask, Don't Tell will remain the law of the land until at least 2013. It is entirely likely that there will never be justice for those who have known no other life than that of a United States resident, but risk being deported at any moment.
But, you say, "My Senator already supports repeal and the Dream Act." Yes, I know, so do mine. But that's not important right now. We need to make the phones in the Senate ring nonstop. We need to make them feel the pressure. We need to get them motivated enough to approach a Senator on the other side of the aisle and ask, beg if necessary, for their vote.
It's 60 votes or nothing and it's not clear whether we have them or not.
"The votes to break McCain's filibuster are not there. We need Sens. Snowe and Collins on board; they're key to us breaking the filibuster," said Aubrey Sarvis, Army veteran and executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "With the vote less than 48 hours away, we need everyone supporting repeal to call the Senate. We're bringing gay and straight service members to Portland to help make the case. And we're proud to have the support of Lady Gaga to bring grassroots attention to repeal at a critical hour.
So rec this diary, so that everyone can be reminded throughout the day of how urgent this is.
Then pick up the phone and call your Senators right now.
Then send a free fax.
Then flood your Senators' email.
Then for good measure call the White House and let the President know how you feel.
Contact information for all Senators: US Senate.
Send a free fax to your Senators.
White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111
@Lady Gaga. I wish you were President. -- ltdanchoi (via Joe.My.God)
Update (Metroweekly):
Reid's deputy communications director, Regan Lachapelle, told Metro Weekly in an email at 1:35 p.m., "Senator Reid did file cloture about 20 min[ute]s ago on the motion to proceed to the defense authorization bill." Because the Republican leadership refused unanimous consent to proceed on the bill, the threat of a filibuster means that cloture -- which requires 60 votes and ends any filibuster -- is required to debate the bill.
She continued, "We will vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the bill next Tuesday at 2:15 p.m."
Update: New York Times: Gay Service Members Discuss ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
Update: Cool video:
Update: A further action diary by Curiosity
Update (Wonkroom):
RT @kerryeleveld: Sen Levin holding presser on Def Auth today @ 2:30. Sen. aide tells me cloture vote still happening tomorrow. #dadt #lgbt
Update (Advocate):
OFA targets McCain: "Call Sen. McCain at (202) 224-2235 now, tell him America supports the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" #dadt
Update: Major Witt takes the stand in DADT trial.