Senate panel passes measure that could end 'don't ask, don't tell'
Thursday, May 27, 2010; 6:57 PM
The Senate Armed Services Committee voted Thursday to end "don't ask, don't tell," the controversial policy barring openly gay men and lesbians from serving in the military.
The measure, which passed 16 to 12, includes a provision ensuring that no change would take effect until after the Pentagon completes a study about its impact on troops, due to Congress Dec. 1.
The House was scheduled to vote late Thursday or Friday on an identical measure. Lawmakers there expect it to be approved, and the full Senate would vote on it next month.
The provision, which lawmakers are attaching to a $726 billion defense funding bill, would take effect only if the Defense Department study determines that changing the policy would not affect the military's ability to fight wars or recruit soldiers.
The legislation is a compromise between the administration and gay rights activists, who have long opposed "don't ask, don't tell" as effectively allowing one of America's most powerful institutions to discriminate. Activists pushed President Obama and congressional Democrats on this issue, leading Obama to endorse this approach rather than wait for the Pentagon to finish its study.
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have endorsed this approach while emphasizing the importance of the study. Mullen has said he supports repeal, calling it "the right thing to do" in testimony before Congress in February.
But many Republicans on Capitol Hill oppose changing the policy, arguing that Congress should wait until the Pentagon completes its study before acting. The heads of the four uniformed services have also said Congress should wait for the completion of the Pentagon study.
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The House was scheduled to vote late Thursday or Friday on an identical measure. Lawmakers there expect it to be approved, and the full Senate would vote on it next month.
The provision, which lawmakers are attaching to a $726 billion defense funding bill, would take effect only if the Defense Department study determines that changing the policy would not affect the military's ability to fight wars or recruit soldiers.
The legislation is a compromise between the administration and gay rights activists, who have long opposed "don't ask, don't tell" as effectively allowing one of America's most powerful institutions to discriminate. Activists pushed President Obama and congressional Democrats on this issue, leading Obama to endorse this approach rather than wait for the Pentagon to finish its study.
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have endorsed this approach while emphasizing the importance of the study. Mullen has said he supports repeal, calling it "the right thing to do" in testimony before Congress in February.
But many Republicans on Capitol Hill oppose changing the policy, arguing that Congress should wait until the Pentagon completes its study before acting. The heads of the four uniformed services have also said Congress should wait for the completion of the Pentagon study.
Continue reading...
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