Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy Vote 2010 and Cloture, Filibuster Updates

The 2010 Don't Ask Don't Tell policy vote was brought to the floor on Tuesday, and the Senate did not have enough votes to avoid a GOP filibuster of the legislation. Don't Ask Don't Tell and the DREAM Act were two highly controversial items that were buried in the Defense Spending Bill.

The GOP is not against repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell. In fact, many agree it's the right thing to do. However, the measure is buried inside a huge bill, and the Republicans want a chance to review the bill, propose amendments, and discuss and debate before it goes to a vote.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine indicated her stance on the matter, and basically she said she's for repealing Bill Clinton's 1993 executive order. However, in good faith she can't just sign off on a bill when she doesn't think a fair, unbiased bipartisanship was followed.

Don't Ask Don't Tell doesn't allow gays to serve openly in the military.

DREAM Act 2010 56-43 Avoids Cloture: GOP Filibuster Begins

DREAM Act 2010 56-43 vote avoids cloture, and yet another GOP filibuster has been started. The GOP filibustered the unemployment extension earlier this year, and the DREAM Act is just another bill that will face stiff opposition. In addition to the DREAM Act, the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" military law was not repealed, despite massive support from pretty much both democrats and republicans.

The DREAM Act allows illegal immigrants to get a green card, provided they either get a college degree or serve 2 years in the military. In addition to these requirements, the illegal aliens must have entered the country while they were minors.

Many who oppose the bill don't want taxpayer dollars going to help illegal immigrants further their education. Those who support the bill note that they are not ultimately responsible for their situation in life, as their parents are the ones who really brought them in to the country.

So what do you think? Do you think that the DREAM act should be passed, or do you think its language should be struck from the Defense bill it is contained in?