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Repeal of DADT to be part of 2010 Defense Bill

by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | November 12, 2009 at 04:56 am

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US Congressman Barney Franks says repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" regarding gays in the US Military is likely to be part of the new Defense bill of 2010

Congressman Barney Frank (D- Mass) has said that the repeal of DADT will probably be included in the 2010 US Department of Defense bill. The bill goes through both Chambers of Congress.

(* See also the Now Public story about the AMA's support for the repeal of DADT here )

“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.”
Frank said he has been in direct communication with the White House, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office, and other congressional leaders about the strategy for ending the 1993 ban on gays serving openly in the military.

Though some moderate Democrats have recently expressed concern about repealing the policy during a midterm election year, Frank said resolve at the White House has never wavered. “The Administration is totally committed to this and has been from the beginning,” he said.

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Uwe Paschen

at 05:46 on November 12th, 2009

This complements well Rhonda her post on the medical associations support to repeal DADT.

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/nations-largest-doctors-group-joins-efforts-repeal-dadt

Rhonda J Mangus

at 04:45 on November 13th, 2009

Thank you, Paschen for providing the link to my story and to smk for adding it to this story:). Time will tell whether or not ending DADT will be part of the 'new defense' bill. Obviously, I am somewhat skeptical:)