Don't Ask Don't Tell Could be Repealed by Year End
Defense Secretary Robert Gates appoints high level military group to evaluate issues around lifting the ban.
At the first Senate Armed Services Committee for this year, today, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the committee that the ban on gays serving openly in the military is unfair and should be removed.
Since the ban was enacted in 1993 under President Bill Clinton, more than 14,000 gay men and women have been discharged. Gates has formed a military committee to study all the potential issues around lifting the ban, such as offering benefits to gay partners of military members.
He said high-ranking military officials will report back to him in 45 days on ways to relax "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" within the existing law. Gates said he believes there is "existing latitude" within that law to discuss changes.
Senator Carl Levin, D-Detroit, is the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "I agree with what President Obama said in his State of the Union
address," Levin said. " ... The American public overwhelmingly supports
the rights of gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military."
Sen John McCain, R-Ariz., who serves on the Armed Services Committee, expressed disappointment with Gates plan to relax the ban. McCain said there are some issues with the ban, but that it was working fine. He leaned toward opposition to lifting the ban, but said he is looking forward to hearing more from the military on the issue.
Sen John McCain, R-Ariz., who serves on the Armed Services Committee, expressed disappointment with Gates plan to relax the ban. McCain said there are some issues with the ban, but that it was working fine. He leaned toward opposition to lifting the ban, but said he is looking forward to hearing more from the military on the issue.
Submitted by Editor on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 10:36am.
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