Murray, Cantwell vote with majority to repeal DADT

WASHINGTON — In a landmark for gay rights, the Senate on Saturday voted to
let gays serve openly in the military, giving President Barack Obama the chance
to fulfill a campaign promise and repeal the 17-year policy known as “don’t ask,
don’t tell.”

Obama was expected to sign it next week, although the change wouldn’t take
immediate effect. The legislation says the president and his top military
advisers must certify that lifting the ban won’t hurt troops’ fighting ability.
After that, there’s a 60-day waiting period for the military.

Washington’s two Democratic senators – Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell –
voted to repeal the ban.

“I was proud to cast my vote today to finally repeal the failed ‘Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell’ policy. This policy has failed in its intended goals, done a
tremendous disservice to men and women who want nothing more than to defend
their country and the freedoms America stands for–and I am so glad that it is on
the verge of being repealed,” Murray said in a statement.

Cantwell said: “The Senate did the right thing today in giving men and women
who serve our country the ability to do so without fear of discrimination. This
is a victory for U.S. service members across the country and around the world
who for more than a decade have been subjected to unnecessary and arbitrary
discharge from the military under the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. It is a
victory for military readiness because it will enable our force to retain
volunteers who serve honorably.

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