United States

The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the ratification of START, and the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords

Against this backdrop, the lame-duck Congress looked ready to move toward the end of its session with legislative gridlock firmly in place. However, the Obama administration and the Republicans were able to forge compromises on several significant pieces of legislation. When the administration proposed extending the Bush tax cuts for another two years, Republicans responded by supporting an extension of unemployment benefits. Several Senate Republicans also joined Democrats to enable the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that had prohibited gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, and legislation was enacted that extended medical benefits to first responders to the September 11 attacks. The Senate also ratified a new Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) treaty with Russia, capping what was one of the most productive legislative periods in recent memory and in the process helping boost Obama’s popularity. When a gunman killed six people and critically wounded Gabrielle Giffords, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, as she met with constituents in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011, however, there was a renewed national discussion about the vehemence of political polarization in the United States.

U.S. President Barack Obama signing the repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” December 22, 2010.Chuck Kennedy—Official White House Photo