Road Map: Recess Clock Is Ticking; Order Is Tall
By Emily Pierce and Steven T. Dennis
Roll Call Staff
May 18, 2010, 12 a.m.
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/55_134/roadmap/46296-1.htmlscroll to bottom of pageSpeaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) refused to commit last week to allowing a vote on an amendment that would repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law banning openly gay people from serving in the military. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has asked Congress to hold off on a repeal, but backers, including Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.), are pushing hard for a vote.
Another gay rights bill, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, continues to be kicked down the road and does not appear likely to come to the floor before Memorial Day. Moderate Democrats remain nervous about voting on that measure, particularly provisions protecting transgender people, especially when it has no clear path through the Senate.