LIEBERMAN, LEVIN, MURPHY ANNOUNCE WHITE HOUSE SUPPORT FOR ‘DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL’ REPEAL AMENDMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Carl Levin (D-MI), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, along with Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA) today sent a letter to the White House announcing that they “have developed a legislative proposal for consideration by the House and Senate that puts a process in place to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ once the working group has completed its review” and the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs “certify that repeal can be achieved consistent with the military’s standards of readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention.” 

Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag’s response confirmed that “the Administration is of the view that the proposed amendment meets the concerns raised by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff” and “the Administration therefore supports the proposed amendment.”

The full letter from Senator Lieberman, Senator Levin, and Congressman Murphy is available online here.

The Administration’s response is available online here.

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