The United States Senate voted 16-12 Thursday for a compromise to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, the policy banning gays from serving openly in the military.
With fear that Republican gains in congress will threaten the passing of the law, activists are pushing for a quicker movement of the compromise through the Pentagon and the White House, where the ban must be reviewed in order to be formally lifted.
The compromise may have the approval of the majority of Pentagon and White House representatives, but Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps leaders, including Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Army chief of staff, all continue to oppose the repeal legislation until it is reviewed by the President.
“I believe that repealing the law before the completion of the review will be seen by the men and women of the Army as a reversal of our commitment to hear their views before moving forward,” Gen. Casey wrote in response to the repeal.
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Olivia Stephens
