Press Release
December 15, 2010
Contact: Aaron Hunter 202-225-2040
Congresswoman Susan Davis Leads Debate as House Votes to End Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Vote in House of Representatives sends bill to the Senate.
Washington – With Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) leading the debate, the House of Representatives voted today to end the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. In effect for almost 18 years, the policy prohibits gay men and women from serving openly in the military. The vote comes after the Department of Defense released a report showing an majority of military personnel support ending the policy and a new Washington Post poll showing 77% of Americans support repeal.
“The time to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ has come,” said Davis, Chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee. “The overwhelming majority of service members are ready for this change, the American people want repeal of this law, and our civilian and military leaders believe repeal will not threaten military readiness, recruiting, or retention. Congress should be on the right side of history and act in the best interest our military and our nation and repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’”
Davis has been a leading figure in the effort to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ As Chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, she held the first hearing on the policy two years ago and has held subsequent hearings presenting insight from a myriad of experts. She has been an original cosponsor of legislation in the House for repeal.
The House approved the bill on a vote of 250-175. It goes to Senate next for consideration.
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