US President Obama has had another win in the House of Representatives - to overthrow the ban of gay and lesbians to serve in the military openly declaring their sexual preferences. The so-called 'don't ask, don't tell' law from 1993.The House vote was 234 to 194 (229 Democrats/5 Republicans in favor, and 168 Republicans/26 Democrats opposed to the law). The result was welcomed by Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.
The vote was also greeted by President Obama,
'This legislation will help make our armed forces even stronger and more inclusive by allowing gay and lesbian soldiers to serve honestly and with integrity,' he said according to The New York Times.
The amendment was then repealed by the Senate Armed Services Committee, sponsored by Republicans John McCain and independent Joseph Lieberman (on many issues with conservative views) with a closed vote of 16 members to 12. This is to repeal the law in the Senate. In the words of John McCain, because it would be (quote) 'harmful to the morale and battle effectiveness of our military' (unquote). And according to Lieberman because homosexual men and women serving openly in the armed forces would be pushed out of the military if their sexuality is known. Urging Congress to delay the vote until a military study group has finished a report on the issue.
The issue is controversial in the United States. With the 'don't ask, don't tell' approach, it allows people to close their eyes to the issue altogether. But with the proposed 'ask and tell' bill, the cat is out of the bag.
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