WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– With Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) leading the debate, the House of Representatives voted on Wednesday, Dec. 15, to end the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. In effect for almost 18 years, the policy prohibited gay men and women from serving openly in the military. The vote comes after the Department of Defense released a report showing an majority of military personnel support ending the policy and a new Washington Post poll showing 77% of Americans support repeal.
“The time to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ has come,” said Davis, Chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee. “The overwhelming majority of service members are ready for this change, the American people want repeal of this law, and our civilian and military leaders believe repeal will not threaten military readiness, recruiting, or retention. Congress should be on the right side of history and act in the best interest our military and our nation and repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’”
Davis has been a leading figure in the effort to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ As Chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, she held the first hearing on the policy two years ago and has held subsequent hearings presenting insight from a myriad of experts. She has been an original cosponsor of legislation in the House for repeal.
The House approved the bill on a vote of 250-175. It goes to Senate next for consideration.
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In response to Wednesday’s House vote advancing the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Mark Pelavin, Associate Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
After 17 years of the misguided “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and multiple successful votes to repeal it, we again welcome the House’s clear repudiation of DADT. We appreciate the efforts of those members of Congress who are working diligently to ensure that this congressional session does not conclude without an end to this unfortunate chapter of military policy.
Now, again and urgently, we call on Senators to join their House colleagues and repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Doing so will reflect the wishes of the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and ensure that our military lives up to the standards and values of liberty our service members bravely defend.
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Preceding provided by Congresswoman Susan Davis and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism