Senators Applaud Initial Pentagon Steps To Halt Discharges Of Gay Service Members

Press Release

Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Carl Levin (D-MI), Mark Udall (D-CO), Roland Burris (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) today applauded Defense Secretary Robert Gates' announcement of several measures that will make it more difficult to discharge gay service members. While the changes are no substitute for repeal of the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, they are a step in the right direction. The regulations announced by Secretary Gates would raise the level of the officer authorized to initiate administrative inquiries or discharge proceedings to a general or flag officer and would modify the standard for what constitutes credible information to initiate an inquiry in an effort to prevent malicious actions by third-parties who may be motivated to seek revenge or cause personal or professional harm to the service member.

"Today's announcement is an important step on the path to a complete repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'" said Senator Lieberman. "I am confident that Secretary Gates and our military leadership would not have taken these initial measures to halt the discharge of many gay Americans if they did not enhance the readiness of our Armed Forces. This shows that our military can implement policies to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation while preserving our highest military standards. The responsibility now rests with Congress and the President to act swiftly to repeal this discriminatory law."

"Today's announcement makes a policy that we should repeal somewhat more humane, and I welcome the Pentagon's decision," said Senator Levin, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "However, I think it is unconscionable to continue to discharge service members under this law when the Commander-in-Chief and the nation's senior military officer have called for its repeal, and that is why I believe, at a minimum, we should suspend discharges based solely on sexual orientation while the study is completed this year."

"This is the right decision for our troops and for our national security. During a time of two wars, we need all of our qualified service members to fight," said Senator Udall. "I'm also encouraged about what this means for the prospects of full repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell' this year. Secretary Gates has proposed changes to take effect immediately -- which signals that changes can be made to this policy, even with some questions left unanswered, and that the Defense Department doesn't believe they will negatively affect military cohesion. As Secretary Gates said, this is about "common sense and common decency.' Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell' would be the most common sense step of all."

"The measures announced today by the Pentagon represent a major shift in thinking, and tangible progress toward the elimination of this discriminatory policy," said Senator Burris. "For far too long, brave gay service men and women have had to conceal their sexual orientation in order to honorably serve their country. The actions taken today will make it more difficult to discharge current gay and lesbian service members, and will lay important groundwork as my colleagues and I pursue legislation demanding a full repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'"

"'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is an unjust and discriminatory measure that hampers our national security and violates the civil rights of some of the bravest, most heroic Americans," said Senator Gillibrand. "This announcement from the Department of Defense is a step in the right direction to repeal this policy once and for all. Clearly our military leaders are ready to implement changes to a policy that is wrong for our national security. I am committed to working with President Obama and my colleagues in the Senate to repeal this policy, strengthening America both militarily and morally."

"I'm glad that Secretary Gates is moving the military towards a policy that values the service of all of its members regardless of their sexual orientation," said Senator Wyden. "At its core, this is about supporting the brave men and women whose service and sacrifice make our way of life possible. I want them to know that we have their backs and won't rest until "Don't Ask Don't Tell' is repealed."

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