EKB News

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin apologized Tuesday for skipping Senate votes Saturday on repealing the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy and on an immigration proposal known as the Dream Act because he had a prior family commitment. Manchin stressed that he wasn't trying to duck controversial matters and had informed colleagues that he opposed them both. Manchin said he spoke in advance with the lead sponsors of both measures. He then relayed messages to fellow Democrats on Friday, and added his comments against each to the Congressional Record on Sunday. The DREAM Act would have granted young illegal immigrants a route to legal status. It failed. On the other, the Senate voted to end the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military. Three Republicans also missed votes on both measures: Senatorss Jim Bunning of Kentucky, Orrin Hatch of Utah and Judd Gregg of New Hampshire.