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08-06-07  

Support for ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal Grows in Congress

WASHINGTON, DC - Five new lawmakers, including the highest ranking military veteran in Congress, have joined 126 other lawmakers in supporting legislation to repeal the military�s �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service personnel. Representatives Michael A. Arcuri (D-NY), Brian Baird (D-WA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Joe Sestak (D-PA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA) all became co-sponsors of The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246) on Friday, bringing the total number of supporters to 131. Sestak is Congress�s highest-ranking veteran, having served 31 years in the United States Navy and retiring as a 3-star Admiral.

�Congress is steadily moving toward lifting the ban and welcoming lesbian and gay Americans who want to serve our country,� said Sharra E. Greer, director of law and policy for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). �Americans overwhelmingly support repeal of �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell,� and value the contributions that gay troops bring to our armed forces. When it comes to capturing terrorists, deciphering intelligence and protecting our nation, sexual orientation is irrelevant. It is talent and skill that is paramount to our success at home and abroad.�

Writing in Monday�s Detroit News, columnist Deb Price noted that, �The Pentagon is no longer frozen solid in angry opposition to lifting the ban on gays serving openly in the military.� Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA), chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, told Price that she intends to hold hearings on the issue. �Absolutely, I think the series of hearings would build the case,� for lifting the ban, Davis said. �I've not been impressed that [lifting"> it is something that would hamper readiness, retention [or"> recruitment.�

During hearings last week, Admiral Michael Mullen, President Bush�s nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) that he would welcome a Congressional inquiry about �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell.� �I�d love to have Congress make its own decisions� regarding the law, he said during confirmation hearings. �I really think it is for the American people to come forward, really through this body, to both debate that policy and make changes, if that's appropriate.�

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would repeal �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� and allow lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel to serve openly, is sponsored by Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher (D-CA). For more information on the legislation and �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell,� visit www.sldn.org.

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