Barney Frank, Jared Polis Urge Obama Not To Appeal DADT Ruling
PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 27, 2010
Three openly gay members of Congress are leading in urging President
Obama not to appeal a federal ruling against “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” the
17-year-old law that prohibits gay troops from serving openly.
Representatives Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Jared Polis of Colorado and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin were joined by sixty-six House Democrats in appealing to the president.
U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips ruled earlier this month that the
Pentagon's policy violates the First and Fifth Amendment rights of gay and lesbian service members. She ruled the policy has a “direct and deleterious
effect” on the armed forces.
Gay GOP group the Log Cabin Republicans challenged the policy. Phillips is considering whether to grant the “worldwide, military-wide” injunction
against its enforcement the group has asked for. The Justice Department
has argued that the ruling should be limited to the 19,000 members of
the group.
has argued that the ruling should be limited to the 19,000 members of
the group.
In a letter addressed to the president, the sixty-nine Democrats argued that
the administration should stop defending the law.
“Mr. President, in this critical time when military readiness is paramount
we
we
must recognize the importance of every linguist, flight nurse and
infantryman. … In the military where lives rely on trust and determination,
DADT represents neither.”
infantryman. … In the military where lives rely on trust and determination,
DADT represents neither.”
“We hope that you, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Services,
will
will
take this opportunity to restore integrity to our military and decline to
appeal Judge Phillips' ruling.”
appeal Judge Phillips' ruling.”
Obama campaigned on the promise to end the Clinton-era policy, but
he's remained mum through most of the debate.
he's remained mum through most of the debate.
“Don't Ask” opponents won a second case on Friday, when a federal judge
in Washington ordered the U.S. Air Force to reinstate Major Margaret Witt,
in Washington ordered the U.S. Air Force to reinstate Major Margaret Witt,
Several senators – including Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and
Mark Udall of Colorado – have also urged the president not to appeal
the ruling.
Mark Udall of Colorado – have also urged the president not to appeal
the ruling.
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