Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, today, we have the opportunity to right a wrong. I rise in strong support of repealing the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. Seventeen years after Congress passed Don't Ask, Don't Tell, we know that it is a misguided, unjust, and discriminatory policy. Not only does Don't Ask, Don't Tell damage the lives and livelihoods of military professionals, it deprives our Nation and our Armed Forces of their honorable service and of their needed skills. Under this law, almost 14,000 servicemembers have been discharged, including almost 1,000 mission-critical troops and at least 60 Arabic speakers and 10 Farsi linguists. It is indefensible. When the House votes to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, we will have taken one more step on the path to full civil rights and equality for LGBT Americans, but we will also change the course of history for all of the courageous Americans who serve our country and for their families. Mr. Chairman, in the land of the free and the home of the brave, it is long past time for Congress to end this un-American policy. Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to the time we have remaining. The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Serrano). The gentleman from California has 4\1/2\ minutes remaining; the gentleman from Missouri has 1 minute remaining. Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Ms. Fallin).”