Skelton to hold hearings on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), the chairman of the House Armed Services indicated that he will hold hearings on the repeal of the controversial ban on openly gay people serving in the military.

Skelton responded to some pressure from other Democratic members who want to see the law, known as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, repealed. President Obama promised during the campaign to reverse the law, but Congress has to pass legislation for that to happen.

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund issued a statement praising the Democrats who challenged Skelton:

“We applaud Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) for respectfully challenging the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO), to take action on the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which repeals ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and replaces it with a policy of nondiscrimination. DADT needs more attention in the House (and Senate),” said Aubrey Sarvis, the executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. “Rep. Polis was joined in the colloquy by Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), who also called for action on repeal. We are pleased Chairman Skelton agreed to hold additional hearings and to engage the Pentagon and White House.”

–Roxana Tiron