Obama Applauds DADT Repeal Vote, Urges “Moving Forward With the Repeal”
President Barack Obama issued a statement this evening supporting the House vote to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” today, saying, “I applaud the House for passing, with bipartisan support, the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010.”
In it, he added a subtle dig at criticism regarding aspects of repeal from some of the service chiefs, most notably comments made by Marine Corps commandant Gen. James Amos on Dec. 14.
Obama said, “[A]ll of the Service Chiefs have said that when this law is changed, they will implement an orderly transition effectively and efficiently. As the comprehensive study by the Department of Defense clearly shows, we can move to a new policy in a responsible manner that ensures our military strength and our national security.”
Of the action that remains, Obama managed to avoid uttering the word “Senate” in his statement, saying only, “Moving forward with the repeal is not only the right thing to do, it will also give our military the clarity and certainty it deserves.”
Obama’s full statement is below the jump.
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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2010
Statement by the President on the House Passage of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010
I applaud the House for passing, with bipartisan support, the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010. Legislative repeal is supported by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The process contained in this legislation allows for a smooth and responsible repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in a way that maintains good order and discipline in our military ranks. Indeed, all of the Service Chiefs have said that when this law is changed , they will implement an orderly transition effectively and efficiently. As the comprehensive study by the Department of Defense clearly shows, we can move to a new policy in a responsible manner that ensures our military strength and our national security.
I particularly want to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Congressman Patrick Murphy for their leadership on this issue. I have consistently called for the repeal of this law. Moving forward with the repeal is not only the right thing to do, it will also give our military the clarity and certainty it deserves. We must ensure that Americans who are willing to risk their lives for their country are treated fairly and equally by their country.
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