BREAKING: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Imminent; DREAM Act dies in the Senate

After the last two years of promises and let-downs, high hopes and massive hold-ups, finally ending the discriminatory military policy Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has been decided by the Senate with a vote of 63 to 33  to close the debate and allow the repeal to move forward. This means just 51 Senators can now vote on the repeal, which is expected to happen by the end of the weekend — and then signed by President Obama., Defense Secretary Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen.

But the military ban will not literally end immediately thereafter; Pam’s House Blend has the statement from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network on what needs to happen before the ban is completely over and done with. But it is finally happening.

In disappointing (but somewhat anticipated) news, the DREAM Act died in the Senate this morning due to Republican blockage of a cloture vote. What’s even worse is with the anticipation of the slew of new Republicans lined up for the 112th Congress, the legislation isn’t looking too good for 2011 either. It is a truly heavy-hearted day for the millions of undocumented youth in this country and the incredible movement that worked toward getting this bill passed.