Joe Sestak Calls for Executive Order to Suspend Enforcement of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
Media, PA - Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Congressman Joe Sestak released the following statement following the appearance of Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen before the Senate Armed Services Committee:
"Today's announcement that the Pentagon will begin a year-long study to prepare for repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' indicates a step in the right direction, but it is inadequate," said Joe. "It's not time to study 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' it's time to end it, and we should do so immediately. That said, if unfortunately if we are to study the process, our military and troops cannot be left in limbo. President Obama should sign an executive order -- relying on the same 'stop-loss' authority used to extend tours of duty -- to halt dismissals under this policy. In a time of war, we cannot lose any more troops that we depend on to keep our country safe.
"'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' was a compromise on our American principles that is counter to our civil rights and weakens our national security," Joe continued. "As a former Admiral, I have absolute faith in the ability of our officers and troops to handle this transition without detriment to readiness or cohesion. I call on my colleagues in Congress to move quickly toward a complete repeal."
Joe Sestak was elected to Congress in 2006 after a distinguished 31-year career in the United States Navy, and he is honored to represent the Southeastern Pennsylvania district where he was born and raised. He is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat from Pennsylvania. During his Navy career, Joe attained the rank of 3-star Admiral, served in the White House as Director for Defense Policy on President Clinton's National Security Council, served in the Pentagon as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, and led a series of operational commands at sea, culminating in command of the USS George Washington Aircraft Carrier Battle Group (30 ships, 100 aircraft, and 15,000 sailors/marines/aviators/SEALs) during combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. In our nation's time of crisis in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the Navy turned to Joe Sestak to serve as the first Director of "Deep Blue," the Navy anti-terrorism unit formed in response to the attacks. Joe is the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to either branch of Congress. He graduated second in his class from the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a Master's in Public Administration and a PhD in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. Joe lives in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Susan, and daughter, Alex, and proudly represents the 7th District, where his mother and many of his seven siblings still reside.
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