On the recordDecember 17, 2010
I join the ranking member in paying tribute to the extraordinary public service of our colleague from Missouri who really exemplifies what it means to be a legislator of integrity and commitment and effectiveness. I do, however, want to differ with his rather distorted picture of the history here when he says we went outside of regular order. This House passed the Defense bill under regular order with committee hearings and debate on the floor. We sent it to the Senate. Because some Senators objected to repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which was included in the Defense bill to start with 17 years ago, it was twice filibustered. The reason we are here now is that twice Republican minorities filibustered the bill. That was the breakdown of regular order. But here we are today. Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer took a very important stance and said, when the Senate asked us, we will break Don't Ask, Don't Tell off from the regular bill, but we want to be sure both passes, and that is what we are in the process of doing. To the credit of the Senate leader and Senator Lieberman, they will be voting on cloture for Don't Ask, Don't Tell tomorrow. In light of that, while there is much in this bill with which I disagree, I strongly urge those who share many of my views to vote for it. Let me be very clear, I think it is very important to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
