Senate Debate on ‘DADT’ Repeal Could Start as Early as June 18

According to SLDN. They offer some guidance:
 

After the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the U.S. Senate is now poised to take it up. An amendment that would allow for the repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” was successfully attached to the NDAA in both the House and Senate.

Senate floor debate on the NDAA may begin as early as June 18, but it could come later.

SLDN and other repeal advocates will be working to shore up a filibuster proof majority, 60 Senate votes, to proceed to consideration of the NDAA. While this is traditionally a “must-pass” piece of legislation, the White House has threatened to veto the bill due to spending disagreements unrelated to the repeal of DADT.

Even with a filibuster proof 60-vote majority, SLDN and our repeal allies will be closely watching for any crippling amendments offered on the floor and a “motion to strike” that could allow repeal opponents to remove the repeal language from the defense bill.

SLDN is working closely with Senators Joseph Lieberman and Carl Levin to guard against any attempts to strike repeal or weaken its provisions.

For instance, we will vigorously oppose any amendment to expand the certification process in the “compromise." Opponents of open service may be considering an amendment that would require all of the Joints Chiefs to sign off on the certificaiton process. This killer amendment is designed to delay open service for years.

According to SLDN, once the Senate passes the amendment, it will head to conference committee to resolve differences in the House and Senate versions. That report will be voted on by both chambers in September or October. The bill signing by the President would then follow, yet DADT still would not be repealed. 

Then comes the Working Group study from the military in December: "At some point after the Pentagon Working Group submits its report, the President would transmit to the congressional Armed Services Committees a written certification, signed by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff."

Repeal would technically become effective 60 days after that but policies and rules would still have to be put in place by the military.

As you can see, we've got a long way to go.