Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell Passes the Senate

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement after the Senate passed legislation to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy with a vote of 65- 31:

"Last week, I joined my colleagues in the House of Representative in passing legislation to repeal the DADT policy and I am proud to see the Senate take the historic and courageous vote to do the same. This discriminating policy has hindered the capabilities of our military for 17 years. Moving forward, our troops will be able to serve this nation with the utmost integrity and no longer face being turned away or discharged because of their sexual orientation. Once the President signs this legislation into law, I am confident in Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen's ability to repeal this policy in the most orderly and effective way possible. As a Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I know that this historic vote helps to not only bolster our military forces, but strengthen our security capabilities."

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