Robert Gates

I think [the thing] people need to remember is that providing for the common defense is an unambiguous Federal responsibility.

don't ask, don't tell will be in effect until 60 days after the government says the military is ready to implement the repeal of it.

Those fighting to recover deserve respect for their sacrifice.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he is not optimistic that the ban on openly gay and lesbian troops in the military will be repealed by Congress any time soon.

I believe that, at least based on the information in the report, that Congress is in a position to act.

I think that, as Senator McCain has said, this is a very important matter.

I think in effect doing a referendum of the service of the members of the armed forces on a policy matter is a very dangerous path.

If I believed that a quarter of a million people would leave the military immediately, if given the opportunity, I would certainly have second thoughts about this. But I don't believe that.

Our plea to Congress is to not leave the fate of this law to the courts.

the certification requirement... ensures that a repeal of this policy would be conducted in an orderly manner.

The only way a law can change is if Congress acts or if the courts overturn it.

we have a continuing problem with sexual assault.

If the impact of repeal was predominantly negative, that would have revealed itself in the course of our review.

What the President did in his State of the Union Address was say that he would like to see this law repealed.

the report that you have delivered are evenhanded and respectful.

the implementation of these policies and regulations is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention.

Much of the concern about open service is driven by misperceptions and stereotypes about what it would mean if gay servicemembers were allowed to be open about their sexual orientation.

Secretary Gates has spoken eloquently on why decisions such as this are not subject to a referendum of servicemembers.

The President can't change this law. It's just that simple.

An overwhelming 92 percent of troops who have worked with a gay or lesbian coworker say there was no negative effect on their unit.

the time for a change has come.

I think that, in this respect, and I obviously have a lot of admiration and respect for Senator McCain, but in this respect, I think that he's mistaken. I think this report does provide a sound basis for making decisions on this law.

The legislation presently before the Congress would authorize a repeal of the 'don't ask, don't tell', pending a certification by the president, Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman. It would not harm military readiness.

The study reportedly concludes that lifting the ban will result in only minimal and isolated incidents of risk to the current war efforts.

The Washington Post is now reporting tonight that a Pentagon study group has determined that lifting the ban will not adversely affect troop morale or the nation's current war efforts.