The push to end the military’s “don’t ask don’t tell” policy that prohibits gays from serving openly in the military cleared two major hurdles Thursday, with the House backing repeal by a 234-194 vote, while the Senate Armed Services Committee voted 16-12 in favor of that body’s version of the change.
Both repeals, offered as amendments to a defense spending bill, would remove the policy only after the Pentagon completes a study due in December on the impact on the military of the change.
“I will not rest until the repeal of this discriminatory policy that hurts national security is signed into law,” Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Penn), the sponsor of the House amendment, said after the vote.
The White House and the Pentagon both approved the compromise in the amendments that allows Congress to act while granting the President, the defense secretary and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff the ultimate authority to implement repeal only when they are satisfied that the military’s readiness, recruiting, retention and morale would not be adversely impacted by it.
After the vote, Obama said he was pleased by the move toward repeal. “Our military is made up of the best and bravest men and women in our nation, and my greatest honor is leading them as Commander-in-Chief,” Obama said in a statement. “This legislation will help make our Armed Forces even stronger and more inclusive by allowing gay and lesbian soldiers to serve honestly and with integrity.”
The debate leading up to the House vote was heated at times, as Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), leading the debate against repeal, drew House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to the floor to defend it.
McKeon, who pressed for additional time to debate the measure in floor action, said he strongly opposed the amendment.
Read more in Politico
Tags: DADT repealed, Murphy DADT, Patrick Murphy, Patrick Murphy for Congress
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