Don’t ask, don’t tell? Then don’t pay for it says U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York)

Feb 10th, 2010 | By Tony Begley, Contributor and Literary Editor | Category: Lead Story, National News

Don’t ask, don’t tell? Then don’t pay for it, says U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York).

U.S. Senator Gillibrand (pictured) plans to introduce a budget amendment to stop funding for enforcement of the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy which she says has led to the departure of servicemen and women with specialized skills such as foreign-language translation.

Gillibrand called the policy, which prohibits gay members of the military from disclosing their sexual orientation, “a threat to the men and women in our armed services” as well as “a threat to our national security.”

U.S. Senator Gillibrand said the quickest way to stop the policy is to cut off funding for its implementation and enforcement.

U.S. President Obama could issue an executive order to accomplish the same task, but has yet to do so.

Last Tuesday, the U.S. Defense Secretary along with Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff testified before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. (previous story)