While Colorado swore in its first Latina and openly gay jurist to the state Supreme Court on Friday, Mark Udall and a handful of other U.S. senators were unsuccessful in winning rights for gay military members who want to be open about their sexual orientation. After the failure to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" ban, Udall, a Democrat, joined with Senators Joseph Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut, and Maine Republican Susan Collins to issue new, stand-alone legislation for a repeal (via The Washington Post). Another vote on the matter could come this week, with supporters in the Senate reiterating that they have the backing of Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, and President Barack Obama.

Protesters have demanded that members of the Senate forgo their holiday vacation and remain in session until the measure is repealed, according to ABC News. "All around the globe, our service members in the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines, the Coast Guard are standing watch in the cold, like we are today; some might be a little bit lucky and are in slightly warmer places but they're standing watch, and their orientation has nothing to do with their ability to do their job," says former sergeant Pepe Johnson.

Meanwhile, if you can think of a song that represents all the partisan bickering in D.C. right now, Udall wants to know. He's calling on his constituents to help him create a playlist for Congress, writes The Atlantic.