Don't Ask, And More

As the House gets ready to debate a Pentagon policy bill, the big focus in the news media will certainly be a provision that ends the ban on gays and lesbians serving in the military, an issue that is dividing lawmakers and the military.

The deal, drafted partly by Rep. Patrick Murhpy (D-PA) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) would allow for the end of the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, but only after some bureaucratic hurdles.

Here is the short explanation of his amendment to the Defense Authorization bill:

"Would repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" only after: (1) receipt of the recommendations of the Pentagon's Comprehensive Review Working Group on how to implement a repeal of DADT (due December 1, 2010) and (2) a certification by the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and President that repeal is first, consistent with military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion & recruiting, and second, that the DoD has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to implement its repeal."

Most expect this to be approved by the House, but it faces a tougher road in the Senate, where a filibuster seems likely.

That's just one part of this defense bill, so let's talk a look at some other changes lawmakers are asking for.

There were almost 200 amendments submitted to the House Rules Committee for consideration on the Defense Authorization bill, most of which were unlikely to be approved for floor debate.
 
One of the first interesting amendments was from Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN), who wants to "prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to pay for Members of Congress's alcohol during travel aboard military aircraft."

Speaking of alcohol, Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) wanted a debate on plans to "allow members of the military between the ages of 18-20 to purchase beer and wine on military installations at facilities, such as enlisted clubs or morale, welfare and recreation facilities where the intent is to consume on the premises."

That would certainly raise a ruckus in areas around a military base, eh?

Not all amendments were directly related to the Pentagon.  Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) wanted debate and a vote on a non-binding resolution "that obesity is more than a public health issue - it is also an issue of national security."

Speaking of health issues, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) asked for consideration of plans to "provide 4 weeks of paid parental leave to federal employees for the birth, adoption, or fostering of a child."

Here is one that probably would interest members of the military, as Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) would "authorize the transportation of one additional motor vehicle (for a total of 2) of members of the Armed Forces on change of permanent station to or from non foreign areas outside the continental United States."

One final interesting one has no chance of being allowed on the floor for debate, as Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) wants to "prohibit the use of military aircraft by the Speaker (Nancy Pelosi) for routine travel between Washington and the Speaker's district."  

You can review all the amendments that were put before the Rules Committee at http://bit.ly/cngfwx .

As the House gets ready to debate a Pentagon policy bill, the big focus in the news media will certainly be a provision that ends the ban on gays and lesbians serving in the military, an issue that is dividing lawmakers and the military. The deal, drafted partly by Rep. ...