AP reports that the U.S. Senate today voted 65-31 to approve and send to the President for his signature the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010. An identical bill was passed by the House earlier this week. (See
prior posting.) The bill provides for ending of DADT 60 days after the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify that implementation is consistent with military effectiveness and readiness, unit cohesion and recruiting and retention. The President has promised to sign the bill into law. Earlier today he issued a
statement reading in part:
It is time to recognize that sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed. It is time to allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country openly. I urge the Senate to send this bill to my desk so that I can sign it into law.
In response to the Senate's action, the
Freedom Federation, a coalition of conservative religious and public policy groups issued a
statement promising to fight for a reversal of Congress' action, saying:
Our armed forces should take heart, because the American people will not turn its back on you. This vote happened because opportunistic Senators – only days before Christmas – put political interest groups above supporting our men and women in uniform.
This action will be overturned in the next Congress because it breaks the bond of trust that must exist between the military and those who command in the Pentagon and Congress. Today’s vote will prove as costly to its proponents as ObamaCare was to its advocates. We promise a full mobilization of faith-based and policy organizations, veterans, and military families in the states of every Senator who voted for repeal of DADT against the advice of our service chiefs and during a time of war. Those Senators – and the Pentagon leaders responsible for this breach of trust – should understand that they will be the object of concerted political action against them.
