Army veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis has issued the following statement:
“Today’s Senate vote was a frustrating blow to repeal this horrible law. We lost because of the political maneuvering dictated by the mid-term elections. Let’s be clear: Opponents to repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ did not have the votes to strike those provisions from the bill. Instead, they had the votes for delay. Time is the enemy here. We now have no choice but to look to the lame duck session where we’ll have a slim shot. The Senate absolutely must schedule a vote in December when cooler heads and common sense are more likely to prevail once midterm elections are behind us. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network will continue to take this fight to the American people, the vast majority of whom support repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’”
However, HRC reports that, "Senate leaders have promised to consider the bill again after the election, and a federal district court recently ruled that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is unconstitutional.
If Attorney General Eric Holder agrees not to fight this decision, this discriminatory law could soon become a relic of the past.
The Justice Department may be our best hope to repeal this law – but we need your help to make sure the Administration gets the message. Add your name to our letter now."
Add your name to HRC's letter by clicking here.
