McKeon, Wilson Statements on Senate Passage of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal

U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), the current Ranking Member of House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), the top Republican on the committee’s Military Personnel Subcommittee, today responded to Senate passage of legislation repealing the Pentagon’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

"Considering the lack of rigorous oversight by the Armed Services Committee up to this point, it will be critical for the civilian leaders at the Department of Defense to stand firm to ensure the implementation process does not create any distractions for our troops fighting on the frontlines in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said McKeon. “Going forward, the pace must be driven by the military services and the best interests of our troops in combat; and the Armed Services Committee will conduct the necessary oversight to ensure that is the case."

"When deciding whether or not to sign this bill into law, I hope the President thoroughly weighs the level of impact changing such a significant military policy will have on our troops who are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq," stated Wilson. "There is much more information to examine and many more conversations to have with military leaders in order to ensure there is no impact on military readiness, recruitment, and morale going forward."