On the recordSeptember 10, 2015
During the debate on repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell 4 years ago, we noted that gay and lesbian Americans have fought with distinction in every war in our Nation's history, which is true. But while they fought to protect us, we failed to protect them. Over 100,000 Americans were discharged from the military between 1945 and 2011 solely because of their sexual orientation. These discharges were often less than honorable, which impacted their veterans benefits and served as a rebuke to their service and sacrifice. We can and must do better. The Department of Defense allows veterans who were discharged solely for their sexual orientation to petition for an upgrade to an honorable discharge. I encourage all of my colleagues to conduct research in their districts to inform veterans of this opportunity and to assist them in their applications. Congress should pass the Restore Honor to Service Members Act, introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Mark Pocan, to codify this opportunity for veterans to remove this insult from their records. A good and grateful Nation owes these brave Americans nothing less. ____________________
