House votes to end military ban on gays
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| A supporters of a bill to overturn the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy holds a portrait of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who opposes the amendment to repeal the military's 17-year-old ban on openly gay troops during a rally Friday on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP file photo) |
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WASHINGTON – The House voted Wednesday to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that for 17 years has forced gays desiring to serve in the military to conceal their sexual identity.
The 250-175 vote propels the issue to the Senate for what could be the last chance for now to end the 1993 law that forbids recruiters from asking about sexual orientation while prohibiting soldiers from acknowledging that they are gay.
Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Ill., voted for the bill. Rep. Don Manzullo, R-Ill., voted against the bill.
It’s “the only law in the country that requires people to be dishonest or be fired if they choose to be honest,” said Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo.
Democratic leaders in the Senate say they are committed to bringing the bill to the floor before Congress adjourns for the year. But they are challenged by opposition from some Republicans and a daunting agenda that includes finishing work on legislation to fund the government and ratifying a nuclear arms treaty with Russia.
Failure to overturn the policy this year could relegate the issue to the back burner next year when Republicans, who are far less supportive of allowing openly gay individuals to serve in the military, take over the House and gain strength in the Senate.
“Now is the time for us to act,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and “close the door on a fundamental unfairness in our nation.”
Many Republicans, led by Sen. John McCain of Arizona, argue that it would be a mistake for the military to undergo a major cultural change while the nation is fighting two wars.
