“Our nation is most secure when the bravest and best Americans answer the call of duty, regardless of sexual orientation” Perlmutter Supports Repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”

Washington, DC – “Today I voted to end an injustice,” stated U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter about his vote to repeal the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy today.

Perlmutter (CO-07), a co-sponsor of the bill to end the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy also said, “Our nation is most secure when the bravest and best Americans answer the call of duty, regardless of sexual orientation. This discriminatory and harmful policy has weakened America’s security by depriving our nation of the service of thousands of troops who served their country honorably – and forcing even larger numbers of troops to lie about who they are. The American people and the US military overwhelmingly believe we are a stronger nation without DADT, and I am proud to cast this vote.”

Earlier this year, the House passed this repeal, as an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization bill, in May 2010 by a vote of 234 to 194. The Senate is still waiting to pass the bill. Today, the House passed the measure as a stand-alone bill.

The bill is supported by the Department of Defense and allows them to implement the repeal consistent with military readiness, effectiveness and unit cohesion and recruiting. One Hundred Fifteen thousand (115,000) active duty, National Guard and Reserve personnel answered the Pentagon’s DADT survey, and 70% said repealing DADT will not hurt them or their unit.