McKeon Statement on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Washington, D.C. – After rushing the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell through the House at the midnight hour of a lame duck Congress, news reports indicate that the President intends to certify repeal of the policy today. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, released the following statement on his concerns over the certification:

“I am disappointed the President hasn’t properly addressed the concerns expressed by military service chiefs before certifying the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Their worry that the combat readiness of our force could be placed at risk, particularly those serving on the front lines in Afghanistan and Iraq, must be taken seriously. The President’s certification culminates a flawed repeal assessment and adoption process and as such the House Armed Services Committee will continue to conduct vigorous oversight. To aid this effort, I am calling on the Administration to immediately release to Congress each of the assessments performed by the services on the impact of repeal on their forces and all the regulations and policy documents that demonstrate the questions about implementation have been resolved.”