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Stew Lilker’s

Columbia County Observer

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Florida News

US Senator Bill NelsonU.S. Senator Bill Nelson - Update
December 21, 2010

Senate Repeals “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

The Senate voted 65 to 31 to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays serving openly in the military. The measure awaits the president’s signature.  Repeal will take effect after the president and our military leaders certify the bill is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, recruiting and retention.

Senator Nelson was a cosponsor of the legislation and voted for the repeal.

Senate Passes Post-9/11 GI Bill Improvements

For more information
Lynn Bannister: Director of Outreach
111 North Adams St
Tallahassee, FL  32301
850-942-8415 / 850-942-8450 (fax)
billnelson.senate.gov

Congress passed a bill to further expand benefits National Guardsmen who are activated for domestic assistance.

Improvements in the new GI Bill include revised assistance amounts, monthly living stipends and assistance for vocational and other non-college degree programs.

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 (S. 3447) also provides for the transfer of unused educational benefits to family members.

Food Safety Bill Clears Final Hurdle

On December 19, the Senate unanimously passed a new version of S. 510, the Food Safety Modernization Act, with minor corrections to technical errors in the way the bill was written.

The president is expected to sign it this week.

Senator Nelson previously voted for this bill, which originally passed the Senate on November 30 by a vote of 73-25.

Senate Honors Ambassador Richard Holbrooke

The Senate unanimously voted on a resolution that honors the exceptional achievements of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.  The resolution recognized the contributions Holbrooke made to the United States in the fields of national security, humanitarian causes and peaceful resolutions of international conflict.  Holbrook devoted nearly 50 years of his life to public service.  Of particular note, he brokered the 1995 Dayton Accords, which ended three years of sectarian war in the Balkans.

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