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Thousands of LGBT rights supporters marched at the National Equality March Rally in Washington DC on October 2009.

Next year's Defense Authorization bill has a couple of extras for student immigrants and gay rights advocates. Attached to the bill is the DREAM Act and a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The Senate is scheduled to take up the matter this week.

Reporter Josh Gerstein for Politico.com briefs us on the debate over the Defense Authorization Bill and why these items are attached to the bill.