Frank: DADT Gone Next Year

by: Richard Allen Smith

Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 11:14:19 AM EST


I think we've all been hoping for something a bit quicker than this, but Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) is giving us a time line for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell":

Repealing "don't ask, don't tell" will likely be included as part of next year's Department of Defense authorization bill in both chambers of Congress, Congressman Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, said Wednesday.

"Military issues are always done as part of the overall authorization bill," Frank said, insisting that this has been the strategy for overturning the policy all along. "'Don't ask, don't tell' was always going to be part of the military authorization."

While it's good to hear this sort of concrete language from a member of Congress who has been one of our strongest advocates on this issue, it's important to note that Rep. Frank does not sit on the Armed Services Committee, which is responsible for this legislation. Additionally, Aravosis offers the point that we still don't have a firm commitment from the Commander-in-Chief:

Barney Frank as the messenger isn't good enough. A senior White House official needs to go public, by name, and tell the world that the White House is going to push for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell next spring. And then the White House has to actually come up with a strategy to win repeal.

So this is news we must take with a grain of salt, but good news none the less.  

Richard Allen Smith :: Frank: DADT Gone Next Year
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I still don't see why more could not be done earlier (0.00 / 0)
President Obama could rescind this policy by executive order.

The House bill (HR1283) has 183 co-sponsors.  If brought to the floor for a vote it would pass with no problems.

Why does the Senate see the need for such a delay?

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama


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