Evan Bayh: “These fees would largely be passed through to consumers in the form of higher premiums for private coverage.”

In all likelihood there were gay Americans serving at Valley Forge, there were gay Americans at Gettysburg, there were gay Americans on Normandy Beach, there are gay Americans serving in Iraq and Afghanistan today.

If they become significantly affected by this, does that present a systemic risk of some kind?

We are paying a macroeconomic price for the delay in resolving this issue.

We should not discriminate against them. We should honor that service, honor that patriotism, the way we do the service and patriotism of any American who is willing to put on the uniform of this country.