Washington, DC –
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) released the following statement after the Senate fell short of the required votes that would have allowed consideration of the Defense Authorization bill, including a repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Senator Cardin is a cosponsor of a Senate measure that would repeal the law and allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“The Pentagon and our military have spoken, our nation has spoken, the time to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is now.  We can no longer stand by while members of our nation’s armed forces are openly discriminated against.  I was disappointed that the Senate failed once again to clear a procedural hurdle that would allow us to debate this issue.  Today, I cosponsored new legislation which would bring this issue to the floor during the current Congress.

“We cannot continue to force the gay men and women who defend our nation to serve in silence.  Incessant delays and hollow excuses only add insult to what is clearly a bad policy. The Pentagon’s in-depth report tells us that this repeal can take place without undermining military readiness or unit cohesion. Before this Senate breaks for recess to go home to our families, we must ensure that we fulfill our moral obligation and protect the rights and freedoms of the brave men and women who risk their lives to protect ours.”