Federation of International Pride: Congress

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Federation of International Pride: Congress

-DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL-

UPDATE

Even though President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates have begun discussions with the Joint Chiefs of Staff on how and when to lift the military policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, don’t look for any movement on the issue any time soon.

Gates appeared on Fox News Sunday and confirmed that little progress on the dialogue has been made since the administration took office. He also said that both he and Obama have "a lot on our plates right now" and suggested, "let's push that one down the road a little bit."

During campaign season, Obama made statements about his intent to end the policy, but also communicated to do so at the right time.

Gates has however, downplayed the need to change the policy in the past. He went so far as to say that even discussing the issue could have serious impacts on national security when he stated, “the Global War on Terrorism is far-reaching and unrelenting. The threat to our country is here for the long term. As a result, every day, around the world, our forces engage with our allies in dangerous, life-threatening events, and this will continue into the foreseeable future. A national debate on changing [the military's policy] with the accompanying divisiveness and turbulence across our country, will compound the burden of the war.”

With the unprecedented strain on military staff we’re facing today, do you think that Gates’ “lots on our plates right now” excuse holds water?

(Images courtesy of Getty)

-ENDA VOTE-

AN ONGOING SAGA

Palosi After several delays, ENDA was set to be voted on in the House during the early afternoon today, November 6, 2007.

The current bill on its way to the floor includes 2 amendments; one of which puts sexual identity back into the language. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), the only other openly gay individual in congress pushed the first amendment in response to the overall outrage from the LGBT community when it was learned that transgender individuals do not have any inclusion.

Although the bill is going to the House floor, it is possible for one, if not both amendments to be pulled prior to a vote actually taking place. As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is under extreme pressure to not have a vote with gender identity included, the exclusions of said amendments could very well become a reality.

UPDATE 11/6/2007:

We have been closely watching the House of Representatives' Office of the Clerk for updates regarding legislative activities concerning ENDA all day, but have yet to see ENDA come up.

Everything from a measure congratulating Nicholas Sarkozy to impeaching Vice President Cheney has been handled with the notable exception of ENDA. As such, it is becoming clear that ENDA may be put off yet again...

UPDATE 11/7/2007 (Morning):

It is starting to become clear that Congress simply does not want to deal with ENDA. Many other outlets have noted that it keeps getting bumped due to "more pressing" business.

How can voting on a measure to congratulate the new French President be more important and justify pushing ENDA back? - It would seem that domestic business (not to mention peoples quality of life) would take a front seat to that of congratulating a foreign dignitary...

UPDATE 11/7/2007 (Afternoon):

ENDA Passes the House of Representatives, but does not include protections for transgender individuals.

UPDATE 11/15/2007:

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass) has announced that he will introduce ENDA (without protections for the transgender) into the Senate once he finishes working with Senate leadership.

Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Act

ANOTHER DOOMED LGBT BILL

With the Republican White House threatening to Veto the Matthew Sheppard hate Crimes Act, it seems there is little that can be done to get this legislation passed considering the current situation in the House.

Options that have been discussed include tacking it to a defense spending measure and or sending it to the President's desk separately; in which case it would be vetoed.

With discussions now projected to continue into December, the current Bill will most likely never make it to the President's desk and the legislation will ultimately have to be re-considered under a different presidency.

With FBI statistics that clearly indicate that one in six hate crimes is motivated by sexual orientation, it has never been more important to pass such legislation.

The White House has gone on official record as noting that the legislation is "unnecessary and constitutionally questionable."

It is hard to see how providing protections for a group of Americans that is being discriminated against is "constitutionally questionable."

What's Congress Doing

Did you know that the House of Representatives' Office of the Clerk keeps everyone updated as far as what congress is doing on any given day?

Finding out what congress is doing this hour is as easy as clicking the link below. Once clicked, you will be taken to the Office of the Clerk's Legislative Activities page where you can select the day of interest and then see events posted as they begin to unfold throughout the day.

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