Lawmakers Seek White House Input On DADT

The Advocate obtained a copy Monday evening of a letter that three key lawmakers who have been wrangling votes for legislative repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" this year sent to President Barack Obama requesting the administration's "official views" on a new legislative proposal that surfaced Monday morning.

"Given the important efforts of the working group, we have developed a legislative proposal for consideration by the House and Senate that puts a process in place to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' once the working group has completed its review and you, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs certify that repeal can be achieved consistent with the military's standards of readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention," wrote Senators Carl Levin of Michigan, Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, and Rep. Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania. "We appreciate the input you and the Pentagon have provided throughout this process and request the Administration's official views on our legislative proposal."

As The Advocate reported earlier Monday, the White House is expected to issue a Statement of Administration Policy on DADT repeal this week, possibly as early as tomorrow.