Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

LDS Senator Harry Reid

Mormon Senator Harry Reid: No Sponsors for Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

From a story in the Advocate
June 2009

Mormon Senator and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid speaking at a press conference Monday said he has no plans to introduce a bill to repeal “don't ask, don't tell” in the Senate.

“I haven't identified any sponsors,” he said. “My hope is that it can be done administratively.”

A Democratic aide later clarified that Reid was speaking about the possibility of using an executive order to suspend discharges or perhaps halting enforcement of the policy by changing departmental regulations within the Department of Defense.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs has continually said in recent months that President Barack Obama believes the only “durable solution” to repealing the military's gay ban would be to do so through legislative action.

Senator Reid also indicated that he is waiting on the House of Representatives to take action on the bill that was introduced there in March.

“If the House moves on this,” he said, “I would be happy to take it up.”