Robert Gates Orders Early Release Of DADT Report
PUBLISHED: NOVEMBER 22, 2010
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has ordered an early release of
a Pentagon report on repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” the 17-year-
old law that bans gay and bisexual troops from serving openly.
Officials announced they'll release the long-awaited report on
November 30, one day earlier than planned.
The Senate's Democratic leadership has pledged to vote on a defense
bill that includes language that would repeal the law that has ended
the military careers of over 13,000 service members after the
Thanksgiving break.
Senators consider the report's findings crucial and had urged Gates
for an early release so that the Senate Armed Services Committee
could hold hearings on it prior to a floor vote.
“Secretary Gates is pushing all involved in the Comprehensive
Review Working Group's report to have it ready for public release on
Nov. 30 in order to accommodate the desire of the Senate Armed
Services Committee to hold hearings as soon as possible,”
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said in a statement.
The development should be good news to beleaguered repeal
backers who are racing to end the law before Republicans takeover
the House and increase their numbers in the Senate in January.
Senate Republicans, led by Arizona Senator John McCain, blocked
troops, according to Washington Postsources.
About 40 percent of Marines object to repeal and Marine Corps
leaders have publicly supported the policy. On Sunday, Joint Chiefs
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