Boxer tries to block Nunn

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) tried to derail the attempt by Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA) to bar by law gays and lesbians from the military. She introduced Amendment 783 to S. 1298, the 1994 National Defense Authorization Act. Her amendment would have struck Nunn's language and inserted in its place language that would permit the President to continue determining the matter as policy:

SEC. 546. SENSE OF CONGRESS CONCERNING HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE ARMED FORCES.

It is the sense of Congress that the policy of the Government concerning the service of homosexuals in the Armed Forces is a matter that should be determined by the President, as chief executive officer of the Government and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, based upon advice provided to the President by the Secretary of Defense and the military advisors to the President and Secretary.

The Boxer Amendment failed, 33-63, on 09 Sep 1993. Of 55 Democrats voting, 30 (55%) voted yes and 25 (45%) voted no. Of 41 Republicans voting, 3 (7%) voted yes and 38 (93%) voted no.