White House and Congressional Democrats Reach Deal on DADT repeal

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White House and Congressional Democrats Reach Deal on DADT repeal

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On Monday,  Congressional Democrats reached an agreement with the White House and possibly the Pentagon involving a key legislative step toward the repeal of the policy of gays in the military,  called,  "don't ask, don't tell".  

CNN reports that  three congressional sponsors of legislation to repeal the policy outlined the proposed agreement  in a letter to President Barack Obama.

Contingencies are based on an ensuing military view's completion and subsequent final approval from the president and military leaders.

If the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs certify that repeal will not alter the military's standards of readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention,  then an outline for speedy repeal which was laid out in the letter can be effective.  

 The letter sent Monday night that was signed by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan; Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Connecticut; and Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pennsylvania.

The Obama administration endorsed the proposal in a letter sent to the congressmen Tuesday from Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag, who wrote that the agreement "meets the concerns raised by the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff."

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Mark Critz Supports Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

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Congressional Democratic sources said they hoped Gates himself would explicitly support the compromise language because that could determine whether the measure will pass. Several Democrats in the Senate and House have said they are reluctant to support any legislation that doesn't have complete backing of the Pentagon.