A Historic Vote to End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Today, my colleagues and I on the Senate Armed Services Committee took a big step toward repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. Thousands of gay men and women have been discharged from serving in the military under this law, and many more are discouraged from entering the armed forces at all. Especially in a time of war, we should not be telling qualified Americans that they aren't wanted and experienced service members that their careers are over, solely because of their sexual orientation.
My vote today amends the National Defense Authorization Act to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" after a Pentagon review of its implementation. President Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen have all made it clear that they support repeal, and we now wait for the green light that repeal is consistent with the military's standards of readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion and recruitment and retention.
I became an original co-sponsor of the Senate bill because I believe this must stop, and I will continue my efforts to ensure that this provision makes it to the President's desk. After 17 years, there is ample evidence that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is hurting our national security-and absolutely no evidence that the law is making us safer. It is time to honor our soldiers with the chance for them to serve our country openly.