Louie Gohmert: “There was an agreement with the military to do a study on what to do about the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. That was…”

“There was an agreement with the military to do a study on what to do about the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. That was the agreement, and the study is due at the end of the year. What this rule says, by bringing this amendment to the floor, is, while we send men and women out in harm's way to lay down their lives for us, we don't care what you think. We don't care what word you were given by your leaders that we do care what you think and will incorporate that and will work with that. We're saying we're shoving this down your throat. We don't care. And think about the policy. Now, look, I have represented people in the Army who practiced homosexuality, and heterosexuality, and sexual assault victims. I understand this issue perhaps more than many of those on the floor here. And I'm telling you, the military is not a social experiment. We are sending them out there with a mission to protect this country. And if someone has to be overt about their sexuality, whether it's in a bunker where they're confined under fire, then it's a problem. And that's what repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell does. It says, I have to be overt. I don't care. I want this to be a social experiment. Our men and women in the military deserve better. Let's hear from them at the end of the year with a complete study, and then the leaders keep their word when we send our military out to die for this country. We owe them better than this. This shouldn't have been part of the rule.”