Blog: Secretary Gates Announces Changes to Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Statement

Yesterday, Secretary Gates announced several measures to ease the enforcement of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law that prohibits gay men and women from serving openly in the military. This is the right decision for our troops and for our national security.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, it is my opinion that during a time of two wars we need all our qualified service members to fight.

Earlier this month I -- and a number of my Senate colleagues -- introduced a bill that would repeal this misguided law. Our bill would immediately end discharges under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and give the military more than a year to study how to retract the ban.

I am encouraged about what yesterday's announcement means for the prospects of a full repeal. Secretary Gates has said that easing enforcement of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is about "common sense and common decency." A full repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" would be the most common sense step of all.

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