Price Hails End of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Statement

Representative David Price (NC-04) issued the following statement this afternoon in advance of the end of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell' (DADT) policy on September 20.

"Bringing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell' to an end means brave young men and women will not be denied the opportunity to serve their country," Rep. Price said. "And it means soldiers on duty defending us right now can rest assured that they will be judged on their ability to do their jobs, not their sexual orientation.

"As General Assembly Republicans have forced a vote on a constitutional referendum designed to marginalize LGBT Tar Heel state residents, we would do well to remember that some of these residents are soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. A constitutional amendment banning gay marriage doesn't do a thing to create jobs, and it surely doesn't honor the gay men and women who put their lives on the line in the service of their country. History will judge these discriminatory efforts harshly, just as it has "Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'"

In December of 2010, President Obama signed legislation to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy pending the conclusion of a comprehensive Department of Defense (DoD) review on the impact of open-service. DoD concluded that the repeal of the policy posed little risk to force readiness. Rep. Price has been a long-time supporter of repealing DADT and was an original co-sponsor of stand-alone legislation repealing the policy in the 111th Congress.

In the 111th Congress, Rep. Price was also the first North Carolina member to support the Respect for Marriage Act, which overturns the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). He joined that fight again this year, signing on as a co-sponsor.

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