The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Sen. Harry Reid, D. Nev., has scheduled votes on the DREAM Act, which would provide undocumented immigrant youth whose parents brought them to the U.S. with a path to citizenship if they pursue higher education or serve in the military, and a bill to repeal "don't ask don't tell," the current law requiring lesbian and gay servicemembers to conceal their sexual orientation or face expulsion from the military.

Both bills are top priorities for the civil and human rights community.

A minority of senators succeeded today in blocking consideration of legislation that would repeal "don't ask, don't tell."

Congress returns to work next Monday for the lame-duck session, the last work period of the 111th Congress before the new Congress is sworn in next year. 

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights has identified the following six goals as the civil and human rights community's highest priorities for the lame duck session:

This week, a group of more than 70 civil rights organizations, including The Leadership Conference, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, offered a set of recommendations for federal action, in the wake of the deaths of four teens who had been reportedly subjected to harassment and bullying based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation.

Civil rights organizations are urging Congress to move more quickly toward repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy in the wake of a federal judge's ruling that the policy is unconstitutional.