Today the Senate passed the standalone bill to repeal the ban on gays in the military. Who knew we had to be alert on a Saturday? Congress has been working overtime. In a bill that seemed close to dead this repeal of the 17-year-old “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy” now heads to President Barack Obama‘s desk where he will most certainly sign it into law.
From Politico:
The 65-31 Senate vote marked a historic — and emotional — moment for the gay-rights movement and handed Obama a surprising political victory in the closing days of the 111th Congress……The real drama had already come a few hours earlier when the repeal bill cleared a crucial procedural hurdle. The 63-33 cloture vote was three more than needed to beat back a Republican filibuster.
Today, the Senate has taken an historic step toward ending a policy that undermines our national security while violating the very ideals that our brave men and women in uniform risk their lives to defend. By ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” no longer will our nation be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans forced to leave the military, despite years of exemplary performance, because they happen to be gay. And no longer will many thousands more be asked to live a lie in order to serve the country they love.As Commander-in-Chief, I am also absolutely convinced that making this change will only underscore the professionalism of our troops as the best led and best trained fighting force the world has ever known. And I join the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the overwhelming majority of service members asked by the Pentagon, in knowing that we can responsibly transition to a new policy while ensuring our military strength and readiness.
I want to thank Majority Leader Reid, Senators Lieberman and Collins and the countless others who have worked so hard to get this done. It is time to close this chapter in our history. 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.
Read more public reactions on the Washington Post some AP video and leave your own comments below!
Incredible! This is really great news. Finally!!!
I love that Harry Reid tweeted Lady Gaga: http://advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/12/20/Reid_Celebrates_Repeal_Tweets_Gaga/
I really don’t like the picture that was used. I am a Veteran that was discharged under don’t ask don’t tell. I am excited about the repeal I think that it will open a lot of doors that have needed to be opened. However, the picture that was used is a little over the top. The reason I think that is because gay people in uniform wouldn’t do that. I think there are more positive pictures that could be used to make us look equal not all touchy. I don’t think everyone is ready to see that and also the whole point of the repeal of don’t ask don’t tell is it shouldn’t matter who I sleep with or love it’s not going to effect how I do my job or serve my country.
[…] nearly chose this as number one. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was just repealed so it is fresh in our minds. It was a hard won victory that often took many forms, was in the news […]