The Daily Beast's Jason Bellini reports that Senator Kirsten Gillibrand may introduce a bill seeking an 18-month moratorium on gay military discharges as early as tomorrow:
"It would be the first time since the implementation of the 'Don't
Ask, Don't Tell' policy in 1993 that senators are forced to declare
their position on the gay ban. A Senate staffer familiar with the
matter says Gillibrand may introduce her amendment on Tuesday to the
Defense reauthorization bill. If the amendment were to pass, gay-rights
leaders expect it would stand a strong chance of being approved by the
House and could be signed into law by President Obama, who has
expressed his desire for the ban to be lifted. Rep. Patrick Murphy is
trying to build support for a bill that has already been introduced in
the House that would repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. But Gillibrand's move would circumvent a long legislative process at
a time when an average of two gay soldiers per day are being discharged. A press representative from Gillibrand's office said the decision to introduce the amendment is not final."
