The Hill News

There are reasonable views on both sides of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy debate. The Pentagon is advocating repeal of the 17-year-old law since a recent study suggested the effect of repeal would be positive, mixed or have no effect at all. Opponents are concerned not only about opposition to repeal from those serving in combat units, but also question why the study the Pentagon conducted on this issue not only did not ask whether men and women serving in the armed forces support repeal (only whether it would be disruptive) and why its findings are based on a 28 percent response rate.
 
At this point there may not even be enough time to debate DADT, with the tax cut debate unresolved and the Obama administration's push to prioritize the ratification of the new START treaty before other legislative business. Yet the GOP leadership still got 42 signatures on a letter this week promising to filibuster anything until the tax cut question is resolved. Fine. But ! when that is over, the U.S. Senate owes the military a vote on DADT. Why? Because the Department of Defense is asking for it.
 

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