Bob Menendez: “Thank you, Mr. President. Let me close by quoting from a letter from the Human Rights Campaign. I think it puts it…”

“Thank you, Mr. President. Let me close by quoting from a letter from the Human Rights Campaign. I think it puts it purposely and exactly: . . . take a moment to truly comprehend the lives ruined over the last 17 years because of this discriminatory law. The soldiers, sailors, airmen, translators, doctors and more, whose military careers were ended, whose livelihoods were threatened, whose friendships were cut off, all because the forces of bigotry and fear held out for so long. They can never get those years back. But I hope they know that their sacrifice meant something. Their courage and integrity helped a nation understand what it means to serve. And that, more than anything else, helped bring about this historic change. That is the vote I hope we will have--one that creates historic change and honors the courage, the integrity, and the service of these men and women. With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.”