National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011

Floor Speech

* Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Chair, when the President announced his decision to repeal the current policy, known as ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'' earlier this year, the military service chiefs and the Secretary of Defense requested the opportunity to carry out the President's directive in an orderly manner that would assure the maintenance of discipline and morale in the Armed Forces. It was agreed at that time, including by the President, that a survey would be sent to all the troops so that their input would be taken into account regarding how best to implement the new policy, and that a report with such recommendations as to how to best implement the new policy would be issued this December, before any legislative action was taken. I believe that that process, which was agreed to by the President pursuant to the request of the service chiefs and the Secretary of Defense, should be followed.

* Breaking the agreement now by having this vote is most unfortunate, and I strongly disagree with the decision of the President, the Speaker, and the majority leadership to break that agreement today.

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