Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted for standalone legislation to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. The U.S. Senate has so far failed to advance a repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell as part of the defense bill so Larsen joined colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to introduce legislation that will repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell as a standalone measure. The legislation passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 250 to 175. 

“All qualified men and women who want to fight for our country should be able to volunteer for our military.

“Don’t Ask Don’t Tell has forced many brave men and women to leave service, hurting our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan and our military readiness. We cannot afford to let this harmful policy remain in place at a time when we need the basic and advanced skills of all men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line for our country.

“I urge the Senate to vote on this bill so we can allow the Pentagon to move forward with implementing the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in a thoughtful and prepared way that will not risk our military readiness.

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