On the recordSeptember 21, 2010
I rise today to express my profound disappointment that we were unable to proceed to the Defense authorization bill. First and foremost, this is an important bill that provides our men and women in uniform with the resources they so desperately require while they bravely fight overseas. Day in and day out they make sacrifices to keep us safe, and the fact that we were unable to proceed to a bill that provides them not only with the equipment they need, but also provides for their families, is extremely disheartening. Not only does this bill provide necessary requirements for our armed services, but it also contains landmark legislation that would finally lead to the repeal of don't ask, don't tell. Today, my colleagues and I, had a historic opportunity to put a stop to this discriminatory policy, and the fact that the Republicans blocked the bill from being debated is discouraging. The current policy actively discourages a significant portion of our population that is willing, capable, and able from serving in our military at a time when our Nation is at war and needs our best and brightest to serve. We owe it to the gay and lesbian community to repeal this law. I am confident that today's military is ready for this change, and most importantly, it is the right thing to do. Since 1993, when don't ask, don't tell was implemented, over 14,000 men and women have been discharged from the service at a cost of over $600 million to the American taxpayer.
