Sen. Demands DADT Info from Administration

U.S. senator Mark Udall of Colorado wrote a letter to President Barack Obama asking for recommendations from Defense secretary Bob Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Adm. Michael Mullen on ending "don't ask don't tell" within the next 30 days.

Udall, a Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote that he asked Admiral Mullen if he would provide him with his recommendations in writing prior to the DADT Senate hearing this fall. Mullen, appearing at his reconfirmation hearing in front of the committee, said he would do so.

"I am now awaiting the Admiral's views," Udall wrote in the October 15 letter. He added, "I know you are aware of the urgency. Not only has the injustice of DADT been going on for 16 years, but we also currently find ourselves in two major conflicts. We need all qualified men and women, many with mission-critical skills, to fight and win America's wars. And the American public is ready for this and is with us."

New York senator Kirsten Gillibrand said last week on The Rachel Maddow Show that the hearing on the military's ban on openly gay service members would take place "probably in October or November."