DoD Report Supports Effort To Repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell," Says Lautenberg

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) released the following statement on Tuesday after the U.S. Department of Defense released its report on the military’s controversial “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy, which forbids homosexuals from serving openly in America’s armed forces:

“This Pentagon report overwhelmingly demonstrates that allowing openly gay individuals to serve will not hurt our military or its effectiveness.  No American should be barred from serving their country simply because of sexual orientation.  As Secretary Gates urged today, the Senate must act quickly to repeal this policy and end discrimination within our military.  Eliminating ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is the right thing to do and would ensure that our military policy reflects the values of our nation.”