"McConnell uncertain GOP can block New START, 'Don't ask, don't tell' repeal"

[Clio the Leo]

McConnell uncertain GOP can block New START, 'Don't ask, don't tell' repeal

By Michael O'Brien - 12/17/10 04:41 PM ET
The Senate's top Republican said on Friday he wasn't sure the GOP would have the votes to halt two of Democrats' top legislative items set for action in the closing days of Congress.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) expressed confidence Republicans would be able to stop the DREAM Act when it comes up for a vote, but was far less certain his party would be able to stop the New START Treaty or a bill to repeal "Don't ask, don't tell."

McConnell said Friday on Sean Hannity's conservative radio talk show that he was "pretty confident that'll be defeated," in reference to the DREAM Act, legislation that would grant a conditional path to citizenship for immigrants who were brought illegally to the U.S. as children.

On the other two items, McConnell was less sure.

The Kentucky Republican said he didn't know where votes stood on the repeal of the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian service members. Several Republicans have announced their support for repeal, though, making it seem likely the Senate will vote to do away with the policy. And McConnell said he hadn't been paying enough attention to the fight over the treaty to be sure Republicans would be able to stop it.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/134303-mcconnell-uncertain-gop-can-block-new-start-dont-ask-repeal

[CakeGrrl]

1. Poor McConnell...

"We're doing everything we can to make the President a one-termer, but we're hitting some roadblocks!"

He's disgusting.

[lisa58]

2. So that was the deal...

[Imajika]

3. DADT and START will pass...

DREAM will not.

START was really not controversial and was bound to pass eventually.

Repealing DADT is a great accomplishment and Reid deserves a lot of credit for getting this done. As much as it pains me, I must also give kudos to Lieberman (and Collins to some extent) for leading the charge on this.

[AlinPA]

6. START is probably dead. Watching Kyl on CSPAN now and his heels are dug in. No way will he allow

it to pass. He controls the vote on this.

[Marsala]

8. START may win if it actually comes up for a vote, which it will

Trying to kill it by delaying the vote is different from voting against it directly. The administration has been saying that they have the votes for a while now.

[wisteria]

9. The vote on this does not come down to just Kyl. Start is too important to just

play politics with.

[Kdillard]

4. Fingers crossed. Great victories for Dems if it happens.

[craigmatic]

5. Well 2 out of 3 isn't bad but the DREAM act was the biggest prize to be won.

That would've locked up Latino support for the party but us losing might play to our advantage.

[Arkana]

7. As long as the record can show that it was Democrats who fought for it

and Republicans who blocked its passage.