Rep. Mary Bono Mack of California was one of 168 Republicans who voted against the measure that passed the House on Thursday and would begin to dismantle the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. She faces a Democratic challenge this fall from Steve Pougnet, the gay mayor of Palm Springs.
Rep. Bono Mack, the widow of Sonny Bono, issued a statement about her vote reported by The Desert Sun.
"This vote represents exactly why people are frustrated with Washington -- why request a review on how to make significant changes to military policy if politicians are not going to wait for the results?" she said. "I care deeply about our men and women in uniform and believe it is essential that a thorough review be completed by our military commanders prior to Congress enacting such a sweeping change."
Mayor Pougnet countered Bono Mack in his own statement reported in the The Desert Sun.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a discriminatory policy that wastes resources and has led to the dismissal of thousands of qualified, loyal service members," he said.
"For years, Congresswoman Bono Mack has avoided questions about her stance on the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Tonight, with her vote, she finally made her position clear: against the over 13,000 members of the service who have been discharged as a result of the law and for a policy that is unfair -- despite the many high-ranking military officials that have called for its repeal."
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