Five new
congressmen joined 126 of their colleagues on Friday to
support legislation calling for the repeal of the
military's "don't ask, don't tell" ban on openly gay
service personnel, according to a press release from
the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. Representatives
Michael A. Arcuri (New York Democrat), Brian Baird
(Washington Democrat), Adam Schiff (California
Democrat), Joe Sestak (Pennsylvania Democrat), and
Brad Sherman (California Democrat) all signed on as
cosponsors of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act
(H.R. 1246), which increases the total number of
congressional supporters to 131. Sestak is also Congress's
highest-ranking veteran, retiring as a three-star admiral
after having served 31 years in the United States
Navy.
"Congress
is steadily moving toward lifting the ban and welcoming
lesbian and gay Americans who want to serve our
country," said Sharra Greer, director of law
and policy for SLDN. "Americans overwhelmingly
support repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' and value
the contributions that gay troops bring to our armed
forces. When it comes to capturing terrorists,
deciphering intelligence, and protecting our nation, sexual
orientation is irrelevant.... Talent and skill
[are] paramount to our success at home and
abroad."
Even members of
President Bush's rank are showing signs of
change. During last week's hearings, Adm.
Michael Mullen, President Bush's nominee for chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Sen. Susan Collins
of Maine that he is open to a congressional inquiry about
"don't ask, don't tell."
"I'd love
to have Congress make its own decisions" regarding
the law, he said during his confirmation hearings.
"I really think it is for the American people
to come forward, really through this body, to both debate
that policy and make changes, if that's appropriate."
The Military
Readiness Enhancement Act, which would remove the
"don't ask, don't tell" policy and would
allow lesbian, gay, and bisexual personnel to openly
serve in the military, is sponsored by Democratic
congresswoman Ellen Tauscher of California. (The
Advocate)
