Sen Kirsten Gillibrand introduces the standalone bill to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

About an hour ago, as Sen Bernie Sanders (I-VT) wrapped up his heroic 8-hour speech about the GOP-Obama tax proposal, Sen Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced S. 4022, "A bill to provide for the repeal of the Department of Defense policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"."  

The bill's sponsor is Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), with co-sponsors Susan Collins (R-ME), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Mark Udall (D-CO).  Official text and other bill information is here.  

Although the bill is thought to have enough support to pass, there are two major hurdles to success.  First, it is uncertain whether enough cloture votes can be found to override a filibuster challenge.  Second, there is little time to act on this bill before the Congress adjourns for the year.  Although Sen. Reid has promised to expedite the bill by using "Rule 14" to prevent it from dying in committee, he has also vowed to adjourn the Senate for the year on Friday, December 17th.  The Senate is now in recess until Monday.

Update: check out this multi-organizational press release. Despite the hurdles remaining, all parties are on board with this effort.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Servicemembers United, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Human Rights Campaign, Center for American Progress Action Fund, Third Way, Log Cabin Republicans, and Stonewall Democrats released the following joint statement on continued efforts to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" before the end of the year:

"Despite the unfortunate result of the Senate's cloture vote on the defense authorization bill, there  are other viable legislative options to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" before Congress adjourns ,  and a solid 60-vote  Senate majority still in favor of repeal. With commitments on record from the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House to move this new bill, as well as Secretary Gates' urgent and renewed request that repeal happen in this Congress, we are confident repeal can still happen this year."