Via HRC:

Dear Daniel, Yesterday, Congress took two important steps toward finally repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". First, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted 16-12 to pass an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would repeal the 1993 law. It was the first time that Congress had ever voted to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". The bill is expected to proceed to the Senate floor sometime this summer. Later in the evening, the House voted to pass the same measure 234-194, taking another giant step toward ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT). These votes honor the thousands of service members who were discharged or resigned because of DADT. Thousands more serve in silence and untold numbers endure harassment that they cannot even report. We owe it to all of them to get this onerous law repealed. This important step forward happened because of your efforts. Thousands of you wrote postcards, visited your members of Congress, organized your friends and families, wrote letters to the editor, came to veterans lobby day, attended events and worked until the last vote was cast. The actions of Congress speak volumes about the talents of the volunteers, staff, veterans, and allied organizations who got us to yesterday. As we all know, there is more to be done. The bill has not yet passed the Senate floor, and we need to keep working until it passes and reaches the President's desk—where it will be signed. When the President signs the bill, lesbian, gay and bisexual service members will not yet be able to serve openly. As drafted, the amendment that passed yesterday delays implementation until the Pentagon completes its review (scheduled to conclude in December 2010) and the President and military leadership certify that repeal will not harm military readiness. We must continue our good work throughout that process, and not forget that we have not won until all LGBT service members receive the equal treatment that they deserve. It's fitting that these votes occurred just before Memorial Day. We interpret the positive outcomes as proof that our nation's leaders respect the contributions of all Americans, LGBT or not. And with all of the extraordinary work that we put in together, a long weekend doesn't hurt either. We'll be back at work next Tuesday, stronger and more determined than ever. Sincerely, Joe Solmonese President, Human Rights Campaign

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