Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC
Senator Lisa Murkowski left no question today about her position on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” the law banning gays from serving openly in the military.
Her announcement Wednesday positions Murkowski in a slim but growing group of Republicans calling for overturning the 17-year-old law.
Murkowski says after looking at the data, she agrees with Defense Secretary Robert Gates’s view that the military can successfully implement a repeal as long as preparations are made.
Last week military heads told a Senate committee that it would be better for them to repeal the law than have the courts make decisions.
Murkowski says as long as it’s done in a deliberate way, she sees no harm.
Murkowski may be in favor of tossing out the law – but don’t expect her to jump at a repeal vote right away. The issue is part of the Defense Authorization Bill before the Senate. Murkowski and other Republicans want Democrats to allow them amendments – and want time for debate of the broader bill.
Murkowski says she’d like to see it rolled over to January and the next Congress – but admits repealing the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” law has a slimmer chance then, when more Republicans come into power. The Senate may wrap up the Lame Duck session as early as next Friday.
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