Progress on "DADT" Repeal, Just in Time for Memorial Day

Today we must thank our Senator, Susan Collins,

along with the 15 Democratic Senators on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the 234 members of the House of Representatives,

who voted “yea” on an amendment to begin a repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy.

Their votes are historic. Since DADT was implemented under the Clinton Administration,

over 13,000 American service members have been discharged from the military . The amendment passed yesterday stipulates that the repeal of DADT will not be implemented until the Department of Defense provides it’s report due to Congress on December 1

of this year on how repeal of the policy will impact the military.

Today,

we sent Senator Collins’ office this letter of thanks for her vote for Senator Lieberman’s amendment to the Senate Armed Services Committee’s National Defense Authorization Act yesterday, which contains the same provision as the one passed by the House yesterday.

A vote on Sen. Lieberman’s amendment will now go to the full Senate after passing the Senate Armed Services Committee. Don’t forget to thank Senator Collins, and let Senator Snowe know that she too should vote to begin a repeal of this discriminatory policy.