Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley urged
House lawmakers Thursday to repeal “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” the
1993 law that bans gay troops from serving openly.
“Our troops agree, out allies agree,
and leaders of our nation agree – we must repeal this policy now,”
Quigley said on the House floor.
Quigley, an Illinois Democrat whose
district includes portions of downtown Chicago, made his remarks as
Congress prepares to vote out of committee next year's defense
budget, long considered the best bet for repeal. But the
White House and the Pentagon appear united in urging lawmakers to
delay repeal until after the Pentagon completes an internal review
of how best to implement changes should Congress repeal the law. The
study – ordered by Defense Secretary Robert Gates – is due in
December.
“The Secretary of Defense has asked
Congress not to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' until the Pentagon has
another year to review the policy,” Quigley added. “With all due
respect, we've been reviewing the policy since its implementation in
1993.”
Quigley went on to say that waiting
would add to the number of gay troops fired under the policy, reduce
the ranks of mission-critical soldiers, and harm our national
security.
“Another year will mean we will
continue to allow young patriots to lose their lives for us, but not
allow them to live the lives they choose.”
“Dr. King wrote, 'The time is always
right to do what is right.' Madam Speaker, that is why we can't
wait,” the congressman said.