Moore: Long Past Time To Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Press Release

Late last night, U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) voted to end the policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which prohibits gays and lesbians from serving openly in the Armed Services.

Congresswoman Moore said, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell forces men and women who are willing to die for our country to lie about who they are. This is wrong, and it is long past time to end this misguided policy."

13,500 service members have been dismissed from the military simply for being gay under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" since it was instituted in 1993.

An amendment, which passed the House by a vote of 234 to 194 to the National Defense Authorization Act, repeals "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," after the Pentagon completes a full review on the effects of overturning the policy. Upon completion of the report, which is expected no later than December 1st of this year, the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff would have to certify that repealing the policy will not adversely impact military readiness and unit cohesion before the repeal can take effect.

Moore continued, "Even Barry Goldwater got this one in the 1990's when Congress was debating the policy. At the time, he said "You don't have to be straight to be in the military, you just have to be able to shoot straight.'"

Repeal is supported by Admiral Michael Mullen, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Generals Colin Powell and John Shalikashvili, both former Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

A vote on the National Defense Authorization Act is expected today.

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