The Reader | Omaha, Nebraska | Nelson angered over ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ filibuster

Nelson angered over ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ filibuster

by Brandon Vogel

Ben Nelson was ready to debate the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy banning gays from openly serving in the military. Senate Republicans were not. The GOP blocked the repeal Dec. 9 in a move that could leave a decision on the policy up to the courts. Nelson took to his Senate website to express his displeasure at the "Washington gamesmanship" that led to the filibuster. "Obstruction stopped changes to the 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' policy that the vast majority of service members say can be repealed without endangering our military. It’s time we change this policy because it values, even requires, lying and deceit throughout the ranks," he writes. At a Dec. 2 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Nelson stated his support for the repeal. The Senate voted 57-40 in favor of the repeal — three votes short of the 60 needed to bypass a promised GOP filibuster. Republican Sen. Mike Johanns voted against the measure.

posted at 09:16 am
on Friday, December 10th, 2010

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