WH: Statement from President Obama regarding the Dream Act

[Tx4obama]

The White House released the following statement on the failure of the DREAM Act in the Senate today.

In an incredibly disappointing vote today, a minority of Senators prevented the Senate from doing what most Americans understand is best for the country. As I said last week, when the House passed the DREAM Act, it is not only the right thing to do for talented young people who seek to serve a country they know as their own, it is the right thing for the United States of America. Our nation is enriched by their talents and would benefit from the success of their efforts. The DREAM Act is important to our economic competitiveness, military readiness, and law enforcement efforts. And as the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office reported, the DREAM Act would cut the deficit by $2.2 billion over the next 10 years. There was simply no reason not to pass this important legislation.

It is disappointing that common sense did not prevail today. But my administration will not give up on the DREAM Act, or on the important business of fixing our broken immigration system. The American people deserve a serious debate on immigration, and it's time to take the polarizing rhetoric off our national stage.

I thank Senators Durbin, Reid, and Menendez for their tireless efforts. Moving forward, my administration will continue to do everything we can to fix our nation's broken immigration system so that we can provide lasting and dedicated resources for our border security while at the same time restoring responsibility and accountability to the system at every level.

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/white-house-on-dream-act-its-incredibly-disappointing.php?ref=fpi

[Ruby the Liberal]

1. We need to keep fighting for this.

What a bullshit vote today.

[pinto]

3. Agree. It's a good, reasonable act. Worth revisiting, supporting next session.

:thumbsup:

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. It only needs Senate passage, right?

That thought gives me some hope.

[Tx4obama]

8. Correct. The House passed it last week. n/t

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. Both of my SenateCritters voted for this. Time to pressure other states..

[pinboy3niner]

11. It will have to start from scratch in the new Congress

All pending bills expire at the end of this Congress. It will have to be introduced again in each house in the new Congress, with new bill numbers assigned.

[Tx4obama]

2. And here's Obama's statement on DADT after cloture but before the final vote

Obama's statement before the final DADT vote

Today, the Senate has taken an historic step toward ending a policy that undermines our national security while violating the very ideals that our brave men and women in uniform risk their lives to defend. By ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," no longer will our nation be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans forced to leave the military, despite years of exemplary performance, because they happen to be gay. And no longer will many thousands more be asked to live a lie in order to serve the country they love.

As Commander-in-Chief, I am also absolutely convinced that making this change will only underscore the professionalism of our troops as the best led and best trained fighting force the world has ever known. And I join the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the overwhelming majority of service members asked by the Pentagon, in knowing that we can responsibly transition to a new policy while ensuring our military strength and readiness.

I want to thank Majority Leader Reid, Senators Lieberman and Collins and the countless others who have worked so hard to get this done. It is time to close this chapter in our history. It is time to recognize that sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed. It is time to allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country openly. I urge the Senate to send this bill to my desk so that I can sign it into law.

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/white-house-on-dadt-this-is-a-historic-step.php?ref=fpi

[LooseWilly]

5. I applaud Harry Reid for at least bringing it to a vote...

I presume that is Reid trying to carry through with campaign promises he made in Nevada...

Obama talking on this issue is comparable to the "qwuaah waah wwwaaaaaahh wahhhhh" of "adults" in Snoopy tv specials as far as I'm concerned. An irrelevant sound that it is sometimes interesting to watch how others react to... but nothing of any importance on a potentially controversial subject will be spoken from the WH...

[Tx4obama]

7. Getting the Dream Act passed was one of Obama's campaign promises. n/t

[LooseWilly]

10. So was a health care plan that included a public option. You have a point?

If you're beginning a catalog of Obama's failures, let me know. I'll be happy to contribute to your list.

If you have some other point, I'd be curious to hear it.

[David Zephyr]

6. This is very, very sad.

We must push through immigration reform and bring these millions out of the shadows and help them become American citizens if they want.