Political Quotes

On the recordDecember 18, 2010
Mr. President, it is time to stop discrimination. It is time to repeal don't ask, don't tell. This is a policy that should have been repealed long ago--long ago. It should have been repealed for its discriminatory nature. It should have been repealed because the Defense Department's own report makes it clear that those who pointlessly cling to this discriminatory, wrongheaded, shortsighted policy, by claiming the mantle of national security, have absolutely no ground--no ground-- to stand on. Don't ask, don't tell is a ridiculous notion, a bad policy, and a relic of a bygone era. It is keeping brave, able, educated, technically skilled, multilingual, trained soldiers, men and women who want nothing more than to defend their country from doing so. We are preventing them from making our military even stronger, making it better, and contributing to what we need in a modern military force. In my view, a vote to repeal this antiquated policy is a smart vote. It is the right vote. It is the fair vote. It is a just vote. It is a vote to keep our military strong, keep good people in the military, who want to serve. Americans who now must remain anonymous, such as an anonymous marine currently serving in Afghanistan says: So far the military has been my source of work and income for the last 6 years. I don't want that all taken away from me and me being discharged anything but honorably. He says: We face the same challenges as all other marines or soldiers but with an extra burden.…
Said by
Bob Menendez
Democratic · New Jersey

Share & report

More from Bob Menendez

Apr 16, 2024

I think that is what we all appreciate here, and we have talked about it with Secretary Buttigieg.

congress.gov
Feb 27, 2024

The reality is that if Iran is dramatically curtailed in its flow of revenue, it has domestic consequences in terms of those who wish to see a change in their own country.

congress.gov
Feb 28, 2024

The smooth and effective movement of cargo through the Port of New York and New Jersey is critical to our economy.

congress.gov
Mar 19, 2024

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6260, the Federal Oversight of Construction Use and Safety Act, introduced by my colleague, Representative Chavez-DeRemer, makes a good faith effort at reducing the costs of GSA's capital projects. I support this bill…

Congressional Record · 2024-03-19

Other voices in this conversation