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Another GOP Rep Joins DADT Repeal


JOE CAO X390 (FAIR USE) | ADVOCATE.COM

Louisiana representative Joe Cao is the latest Republican to sign on to the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which, if passed, will do away with the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Cao, a 43-year-old politician who represents parts of New Orleans, signed on as a cosponsor to H.R. 1283 this week. The bill currently has 191 sponsors — the only Republican other than Cao being Florida congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — and would need 218 votes to pass.

"I am proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in support of a repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell,'" Cao said in a press release. "Our military commanders at the Pentagon believe it is time to proceed with dismantling this flawed policy, and I am happy [to] put my name on this legislation as well as to continue to work alongside Log Cabin Republicans as we speak to our Republican colleagues about the merits of repealing the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in our armed forces."

A companion Senate bill to H.R. 1283 was introduced by Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman March 3.

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FILE UNDER:  DADT

Reader Comments
  • Name: David
    Date posted: 3/18/2010 9:52:53 AM
    Hometown: New Orleans

    Comment:

    Chedar wrote: "Congressman Cao is the only Rep in the house that also voted for healthcare reform. " Unfortunately, it looks like Cao will reverse himself and now vote against healthcare reform, allegedly because of the lack of the Stupak language against funding of abortion, but more likely because the Rethuglicans got to him. In any case, he is likely toast in November. His district is heavily Democratic.

  • Name: mike
    Date posted: 3/17/2010 10:14:07 PM
    Hometown: cincinnati

    Comment:

    I hope that every gay person has a long memory and remembers all of the politicians who did not join in the repeal of DADT. For any elected official to be comfortable making a special class of citizens who are supposed to lie and live in secret sickens me. It should sicken all of us.

  • Name: Chedar
    Date posted: 3/17/2010 7:41:21 PM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    Congressman Cao is the only Rep in the house that also voted for healthcare reform. I admire this guy for being honest to his constituent. He also has his own mind not like the rest of the republican. All they know when you ask them is "NO" The party of NO.

  • Name: David
    Date posted: 3/17/2010 7:38:44 PM
    Hometown: New Orleans

    Comment:

    Except for his obsession with limiting abortion rights, Cao has actually been a good Representative, far better than the crooked "dollar Bill" Jefferson, whom he replaced. I have written him to thank him for his support of DADT repeal and for his vote in favor of Hate Crimes legislation. He is likely to be defeated in November by a Democrat with a pro-gay record, Juan LaFonta, who represents the French Quarter (among other neighborhoods) in the state legislature.

  • Name: Mark
    Date posted: 3/17/2010 6:57:24 PM
    Hometown: Wappingers Falls

    Comment:

    So why isn't the bill attached to the military budget?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Name: George
    Date posted: 3/17/2010 5:27:23 PM
    Hometown: Atlanta

    Comment:

    The funny thing is, the Democrat he defeated in 2008, Rep. William Jefferson (now headed to federal prison) had an anti-gay voting record.

  • Name: Mark
    Date posted: 3/17/2010 5:14:06 PM
    Hometown: Seattle

    Comment:

    That's a lot of cosponsors. Let's get it done!



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