National Security

This May, the House approved the repeal of our Armed Forces’ policy of 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,' by a vote of 234-194, during consideration of the Defense Authorization bill. We voted to end an outdated policy that damages our national security—pending a comprehensive Defense Department report that would review the issues associated with implementing repeal and study our troops’ attitudes toward open service for gays and lesbians.

Today Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) introduced a standalone bill that allows for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer as the lead co-sponsor. Top military leaders, Republican Senators, and former opponents continue to express that it is critical that Congress pass legislation empowering the Defense Department to implement a repeal itself, rather than have a repeal imposed by the Courts.

I am deeply saddened by the death of Richard Holbrooke. He was a giant in the field of diplomacy, and his work will have a lasting impact across the world. From brokering the Dayton Peace Accords that ended the war in Bosnia, to serving as the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, his knowledge and experience was immense and his insight into global affairs was indispensable. My thoughts and prayers are with his family

Today Rep. Patrick Murphy and I will be introducing a new bill to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. This discriminatory and harmful policy has weakened America’s security by depriving us of the work of tens of thousands of gay and lesbian troops who have served their country honorably. And it has severely compromised our Armed Forces’ core value of integrity.

An extensive Pentagon report about the armed forces' attitudes toward gays in the military gives a boost to the stalled push by President Obama to repeal the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" law, undercutting arguments by Republicans and others that such a change would unduly strain the armed forces.

I am extremely disappointed that the Senate failed to move the Defense Authorization measure containing a repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ forward. 

Today, 17 years after Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was signed into law, the Department of Defense has released a comprehensive report reviewing the issues associated with implementing repeal and making recommendations for a smooth transition to open service. After receiving the views of more than 115,000 service members, consulting with tens of thousands of military spouses, listening to troops at 51 bases and installations around the world, and consulting with many other stakeholders, the report’s conclusion is unambiguous: "The risk of repeal to overall military effectiveness is low."

Today Republicans unveiled their agenda calling for the exact same failed policies of the past.  The national security agenda presented, once again, does not focus on the real fight against terrorism and the places that give them sanctuary and put our nation at risk.  A review of the Real Republican Agenda: