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Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"; Extending Unemployment Benefits and Tax Cuts; Senate Fails to Advance DREAM Act

December 20, 2010
Pelosi Update

Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
This weekend, the Senate followed the House’s lead and voted to repeal the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy by a vote of 65 to 31. This landmark vote closes the door on a fundamental unfairness and repeals a policy that does not contribute to our national security. Ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” reflects a core principle in our nation: that anyone who wishes to serve, secure, and defend this country should be welcomed, judged by their abilities, and honored for their sacrifice.

dadt_small.jpgCongresswoman Pelosi holds an enrollment ceremony with Democratic Members of the House and Senate and service members to sign legislation repealing the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

For too long, this ban has kept patriotic Americans from serving in the U.S. Armed Forces because of their sexual orientation. As a result, more than 13,000 men and women in uniform have been discharged from the military – fighter pilots, infantry officers, Arabic translators, and other specialists — at a time when our nation is fighting two wars. Thousands more have decided not to re-enlist.

Support for repeal has come from every corner of our country. Recent polling shows that 8 in 10 Americans say that gays and lesbians who disclose their sexual orientation should be allowed to serve in the military, and the Department of Defense recently released a report favoring the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

America has always been the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are so because of our brave men and women in uniform. By repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” we honor their service and we reiterate our firm belief that, no matter whom you love, all soldiers fight under the same flag.

Extending Unemployment Benefits and Tax Cuts
On Thursday, the House passed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 by a vote of 277 to 148. President Obama signed it into law on Friday. Democrats fought to include initiatives that protect middle and working-class families, including tax cuts for the middle class across the board and a 13-month extension of unemployment benefits. These benefits will help those that need it most and will be spent immediately to keep their families afloat as they look for work – injecting demand into our economy and creating jobs.

Unfortunately, Republicans demanded that the top 2 percent in our country get an extra tax cut - adding billions of dollars to the deficit and not creating any jobs. To add insult to injury, before they would support tax cuts that benefit 155 million Americans, they added an estate tax provision of $23 billion in benefits for the 6,600 wealthiest families in America.

With that $23 billion, we could triple our research in cancer and diabetes. We could give a $7,000 raise to every public schoolteacher in America. We could invest in new technology and create jobs. Instead, we are giving a bonanza to 6,600 of the wealthiest people in America who really do not need the help.

While Republicans held benefits for the majority of Americans hostage to protect the interests of the wealthiest few, Democrats continue to stand with middle and working class families and support legislation that grows the economy, is fiscally responsible, and creates good-paying jobs.

Senate Fails to Advance the DREAM Act
On Saturday, the Senate failed to advance the DREAM Act – a bill that would have offered a path to legalization to immigrant minors who were brought to our country by their undocumented parents. This bill passed the House with bipartisan support.

Though disappointed by the result of the DREAM Act vote in the Senate, we are not deterred in our determination to continue advocating for this critical legislation. We will keep fighting to advance comprehensive immigration reform, and to fulfill our pledge to the hundreds of thousands of young people who call our nation home and strive to take part in the American Dream.

Congratulating the Giants
Last week, I introduced a resolution of the House congratulating the San Francisco Giants on their 2010 World Series Championship victory. Their unforgettable win continues to be a point of pride for our City. Our entire community united to root for the Giants and turned out in massive numbers to celebrate their victory. The Giants’ phenomenal team effort, superb coaching, and die-hard fans combined to transform a group of “castoffs and misfits” into an inspiration for the nation.

Please feel free to forward this information to your family and friends. To learn more about these efforts, to express your views, or to sign up for email updates, please visit my Web site. I am also on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi.