lame duck congress

In a 55 to 41 vote today, the Senate rejected an attempt to move forward on consideration of the DREAM Act, which would lay out a path to citizenship for young adults who were brought to the United States illegally as children, and who graduate from high school with the commitment to attend college or join the military.

Rebecca Thompson, Director of YP4 Action, said:

The Senate today ended the filibuster of a bill that creates a path toward repeal of the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.

Leslie Watson Malachi, Director of African American Ministers in Action, said:

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell denies thousands of men and women in uniform the dignity of serving their country openly and honestly, and the comfort of acknowledging their loved ones. These brave and patriotic Americans deserve better.