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Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher to Become Lead Sponsor of Legislation to Repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee and a long-time Congressional advocate on military issues, will succeed Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA) as the lead sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246) when Mr. Meehan leaves the House of Representatives later this summer. The legislation, originally introduced in 2005, would repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel. Rep. Tauscher was an original co-sponsor of the legislation that is currently supported by a bi-partisan coalition of 127 lawmakers.

"Equality in our military is a vital part of equality in America. For too long the policy of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' has prevented talented and otherwise qualified men and women from serving their country. It's a discriminatory policy that runs counter to the most fundamental American values of patriotism and equality. And, in today's threat environment, 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is impacting the overall readiness and effectiveness of our Armed Forces," said Rep. Ellen Tauscher. "I'd also like to recognize the work of Congressman Marty Meehan, who has for years carried the torch on this issue and so many others in Congress. His leadership will be missed but his dedication will not be forgotten. We have got to continue his efforts to bring an end to this ridiculous policy."

Congresswoman Tauscher is currently serving her sixth term representing California's 10th Congressional district, which includes San Francisco's suburbs in Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano Counties. She is a recognized leader on defense, homeland security, high-tech, transportation and veterans' issues and is known as one of Congress's leading experts on nuclear nonproliferation. She is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, on which she is Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee. She also serves on the Oversight and Investigations and Air and Land Subcommittees. Rep. Tauscher has traveled to the Middle East five times since the start of the Iraq war, including three trips to Iraq, and has visited troops and met with foreign leaders in Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries while serving in Congress.

"Congresswoman Tauscher is a natural choice to continue the Congressional fight against 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'" said Sharra E. Greer, director of law and policy for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). "A respected voice on both issues of national security and equal opportunity, she has a long history of fighting to strengthen our armed forces and advance our nation's promise of liberty and justice for all. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is honored to work alongside Congresswoman Tauscher to end the unfair and un-American exclusion of lesbian, gay and bisexual patriots from our armed forces."

"We are thrilled that Congresswoman Tauscher is stepping up to lead the efforts in the House to end 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'" said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "For years now, Congresswoman Tauscher has fought for the right of all Americans to live safely and honestly. Her commitment to our nation and its ideals of fairness and equality ascends to a new level today as she takes the reigns of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act."

Since its implementation in 1993, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has resulted in the dismissal of more than 11,000 men and women from the armed forces. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), nearly 800 of those dismissed had skills deemed 'mission-critical' by the Department of Defense, including more than 300 language specialists, of which 85 were proficient in Arabic. The cost to U.S. taxpayers for maintaining the ban is estimated at more than $363 million.

A growing number of senior retired military leaders have denounced the ban, including retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili; Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy, USA (Ret.); and retired NATO commander General Wesley Clark. According to a December Zogby poll, 73% of service personnel report being comfortable with lesbians and gays. And various public opinion polls show that as many as 8 out of 10 Americans support repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

"I am very pleased that Congresswoman Tauscher will be continuing the fight to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' after I leave on July 1," said Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA). "She has long been a credible and outspoken advocate for our men and women in uniform, as well as for equal rights for all. I have been fighting to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly since my first days in Congress. I am hopeful that Congresswoman Tauscher won't have to work for 14 years to repeal this outdated and discriminatory law."

"Congressman Meehan has been an effective and passionate advocate for our men and women in uniform," said Greer. "He has kept 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' on the front burner, and the front pages, for more than a decade. All of us who believe in the freedom to serve are immensely grateful for his leadership. He will be sorely missed by SLDN, the men and women we serve and those who continue the fight to lift the ban."

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