Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), pictured earlier this month, is an architect of a deal that would repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. (AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
by Christi Parsons and Lisa Mascaro
President Obama reached a deal with key Democrats on Monday that could repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy governing gays and lesbians in the military -- assuming Congress signs on.
The proposal would let lawmakers vote now to repeal the law and allow people who are openly gay to serve, once the president and top military leaders certify that the repeal wouldn't threaten the military's "readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention," according to documents the sponsors sent to the administration.
The White House replied that the proposal "meets the concerns" raised by the Pentagon and that the Obama administration supported it.
Voting before the November election -- in which Democrats are expected to lose seats -- gives the proposal its best chance at passage.
The House could take up the proposal, as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, as early as Thursday. But the House's third-ranking Republican said his party would oppose it.
"The American people don't want the American military to be used to advance a liberal political agenda," Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) told the Associated Press.
Democrats hold a commanding lead in the House and probably could pass the proposal without Republican support, unless conservative Democrats defected.
In the Senate, which expects to act in June, 60 votes are required to cut off debate. Republicans hold 41 seats and could filibuster if they choose.
Gay rights activists hailed the proposal, while conservatives condemned it.
Even if the plan becomes law, current practices would stay the same until sometime after the Pentagon completes a review of its ability to adapt to the change without harming military readiness. That review is scheduled to end Dec. 1.
The policy has been in effect since 1993, when it was considered a reform. President Clinton instituted "don't ask, don't tell" to end the military's practice of seeking out and ejecting gays and lesbians. As long as gays keep their sexual orientation secret, they are allowed to serve.
More than 10,000 service members have been discharged for violating the policy.
Obama has long pledged to do away with the ban on openly gay service members. Several military leaders, including Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, have said they agree with ending the ban. But legislation had been elusive until now.
The lead sponsors of the repeal measure, Rep. Patrick J. Murphy (D-Pa.) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), pledged to work on both sides of the aisle to pass the proposal.
"It is our firm belief that it is time to repeal this discriminatory policy that not only dishonors those who are willing to give their lives in service to their country but also prevents capable men and women with vital skills from serving in the armed forces at a time when our nation is fighting two wars," Murphy and Lieberman said in a statement late Monday.
In a letter to the White House, Murphy, Lieberman and Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the Armed Services Committee, outlined their plan to repeal the policy pending certification of readiness by the president and top military officials.
White House Budget Director Peter R. Orszag replied in writing that, although it would be "ideal" if Congress waited for the Pentagon readiness review before taking action, the administration found the plan acceptable.
The proposal "recognizes the critical need to allow our military and their families the full opportunity to inform and shape the implementation process," Orszag wrote. "The administration therefore supports the proposed amendment."
Gay rights activists, who have been impatient with the administration's failure to act sooner, were thrilled.
"This announcement from the White House today is long-awaited, much-needed and immensely helpful as we enter a critical phase of the battle to repeal the 'don't ask, don't tell' law," said Alexander Nicholson, executive director of Servicemembers United and a former Army interrogator who was discharged under the policy.
"We have been making the case to White House staff for more than a year now that delayed implementation is realistic, politically viable and the only way to get the defense community on board with repeal, and we are glad to see the community and now the administration and defense leadership finally rally around this option," Nicholson said.
But Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, criticized the agreement as a backroom deal that "disregards the views of our troops and uses the military to advance the political agenda of a radical special interest group."
"This rushed deal is a tacit admission that after the November election, the Democrats are likely to lose a working liberal majority," Perkins said. "They want to get what they can now, and also far enough away from the election that it won't be prominent in the mind of voters."
Comments
Looks as if Dems have finally figured out that it's time to do something for their base.
Posted by: publius | May 25, 2010 12:37 PM
You mean to tell me that I served my country by getting six deferments during Vietnam just so that the gays could one day serve in the military?!?!
We can't be haven' that, ya'll hear me?
We can't be haven' that!
Posted by: Repugtard Hero, Dick Cheney | May 25, 2010 1:50 PM
Go pound sand, Republican haters!
Poll: 78 Percent Favor Repealing 'Don't ask, don't tell'
"More than three-fourths of Americans favor repealing "Don't ask, don't tell," according to a new CNN poll."
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http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/99689-poll-78-percent-favor-repealing-dont-ask-dont-tell
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Posted by: Equal time | May 25, 2010 4:28 PM
Don't you get tired of these self-styled "civil libertarians" like Lieberman, always lecturing and telling us what great civil libertarians they are.
And from time to time reminding us of history. That's another favorite fallback of guys like Joe, who need to take up time on the podium while saying essentially nothing about the matter at hand.
Well, here's a suggestion: go back and study history, specifically, Harry Truman integrating the armed forces.
And grow a pair.
That "need more time to study" line doesn't pass the giggle test any more.
All those highly decorated servicemen who've been fired---why don't you "study" their careers for a change.
Grow some balls, Dems.
Posted by: ornery | May 25, 2010 6:33 PM
Guess we can get rid of seperate barracks now.
Posted by: Terry | May 25, 2010 7:28 PM
I can't wait for the gay pride military parade. That's when every piece of crap country in the world will decide its time to takle over the US. Hell, obimbo has already sold us out to mexico.
Posted by: Libs are Fools | May 26, 2010 9:10 AM
While DADT seemed a good idea at the time, I think it is definitely time for the repeal. There is much more acceptance across the nation and world as far as gays serving their country.
We have the finest armed forces in the world. And our soldiers have matured and become more accepting as well. They would, today, most readily welcome all of their "brothers in arms" regardless of race, religion, gender or lifestyle.
It took blacks a while to be accepted. Women, too. And they are ready for this. I think those who want to keep DADT are selling our soldiers short.
Heck, I think they would much rather KNOW, and just say "FINE, LET'S GO!!". And there would be no problem.
As it is right now. If there is a man in a unit who exhibits, shall we say, a "feminine personality" or maybe even walks and talks a "certain way". Doesn't it cause more problems if soldiers have a discussion behind someone's back, as opposed to just having it out there to deal with?
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Posted by: kiroshimasylvia | June 2, 2010 5:06 AM
I would like one gay person to tell me why they feel the NEED to openly tell their sexual orientation in the military.
The military is about protecting the United States, not pleasing everyones problem about acceptance.
Gays cans serve in the military, not openly. This is not grade-school.
Posted by: Reality Check | July 12, 2010 3:17 AM
Queer News Updates
An occasional series on what the homosexual community is up to:
DADT Survey Boycott: It’s no secret that the military considers the repeal of Bill Clinton’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy toward gays in the military to be the worst idea to come down the pike since women were allowed in combat.
With a few notable exceptions, such as Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who endorsed the idea with the caveat that policy changes should be contingent on military review, our armed services consider repeal of DADT would be detrimental to their mission, morale, and effectiveness.
DADT simply restricts superior officers from investigating or asking if service members are gay and restricts gay service members from advertising that fact.
Both before and after the last election, Barack Obama pledged to repeal DADT and allow homosexuals to serve openly and has been vigorously agitating for that repeal to fulfill that pledge to a major constituency. Such repeal would be a political and social change visited on the military without regard for its consequences.
In an effort to complete Admiral Mullins’ policy review on those consequences, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has authorized a survey on the thoughts of service members on the issue.
Having already surveyed the families of service members on their thoughts, Gates felt it reasonable to consult the 400,000 random opinions of those who would be forced to serve next to outed gays.
The survey forms had barely hit the mailboxes when a homosexual group, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, called it biased and instructed gays not to participate for fear of being outed saying, ”At this time SLDN cannot recommend that lesbian, gay, or bisexual service members participate in any survey being administered by the Department of Defense, the Pentagon Working Group or any third-party contractors:” http://tiny.cc/ywp2z
Their reasoning is obvious. They want to discredit a survey that asks straightforward answers to questions such as: “If Don’t Ask, Don’t tell is repealed and you are working with a Service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how would that affect your own ability to fulfill your mission during combat?” . . .
(Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=1780)
Posted by: Berlet98 | July 12, 2010 5:36 PM