Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010

Floor Speech

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Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, first off, in the final days of the lame duck Congress, I'm grateful to join with Ranking Member BUCK MCKEON of California to be concerned that this outgoing majority has placed a higher priority on repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell than actually passing the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2011. The Defense authorization bill is crucial for our national security concerns and the welfare of our troops and their families and our veterans, and has passed for 48 consecutive years in some form.

Secondly, as the son of a World War II veteran and as a 31-year veteran of the Army myself, and as the proud father of four sons currently serving in the military, I oppose attempts to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell in the waning days of this lame duck Congress. The service chiefs have urged caution because of the strenuous demands placed on our forces by the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In fact, the Army Chief of Staff General George Casey, who I trained with at Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, said the following: I would not recommend going forward at this time given everything that the Army has on its plate. I believe that it would increase the risk to our soldiers, particularly on our soldiers that are deployed in combat.

Commandant of the Marine Corps General James Amos had this to say: If the law is changed, it has strong potential for disruption at the small unit level. My recommendation is that we should not implement repeal at this time.

Air Force Chief of Staff General Norman Schwartz: I do not think it prudent to seek full implementation in the near term. I think that is too risky.

Mr. Speaker, the committees of jurisdiction must have time to examine the 370-page Pentagon report on the impact a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell has on military readiness, recruitment, and morale. This attempt to hastily repeal in the final days of the defeated 111th Congress undermines that process, and I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation in favor of hearings next year on this important issue.

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