Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), made the following statement after attending a House Armed Services Committee briefing on the results of the Pentagon’s report on how ending the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy will affect troop readiness and morale. Larsen is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. 

“The Pentagon’s comprehensive and objective study verifies that the risk of repeal to overall military effectiveness is low. The study cites that 90 percent of service members said that working with a service member who they believed to be gay did not hurt the performance of their brigade or platoon. 

“I believe we need to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell because we need to support the willingness of all Americans who want to volunteer for the military to serve their country. I also believe we need to retain people in our military who are providing basic and advanced skills toward our nation's security.

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have heard from senior military leaders who support repealing this policy. 

“Allowing all qualified men and women to serve their country will have long-term benefits for our national security. 

“I call on the Senate to move forward with a defense bill that repeals Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and allows all men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect our country to join our military.

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