Via email:
Statement by the President on Votes to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
I have long advocated that we repeal ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’, and I am pleased that both the House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee took important bipartisan steps toward repeal tonight. Key to successful repeal will be the ongoing Defense Department review, and as such I am grateful that the amendments offered by Representative Patrick Murphy and Senators Joseph Lieberman and Carl Levin that passed today will ensure that the Department of Defense can complete that comprehensive review that will allow our military and their families the opportunity to inform and shape the implementation process. 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. 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.
Just getting stuff done.
Here’s the House Roll Call. Sadly, more Democrats voted against it than Republicans voted for it. In honor of five brave Republicans, I will list their names.
Judy Biggert of Illinois
Joseph Cao of Louisiana
Charles Djou of Hawai’i
Ron Paul of Texas
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida
A special recognition must be given to Rep. Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania who authored the amendment, which passed 234-194. Murphy didn’t do this for political gain. He did it because he sincerely believes it is the right thing to do. He served in Iraq and he knows that barring gays from the military is harmful to our national security. He’s knows discrimination is wrong. And he made this his mission in Congress even though he serves in a traditionally Republican district in the Philly suburbs and he’s facing the incumbent he defeated four years ago. It’s a classy and fearless move on Murphy’s part and he has earned a special place in history for his efforts.
Meanwhile, the Senate Armed Services approved their amendment in a 16-12 vote. Democrat Jim Webb of Virginia voted against it. Republican Susan Collins of Maine voted for it.
