Associated Press
WASHINGTON - A proposal to step up the repeal of the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military but still allow the Pentagon time — perhaps even years — to implement new policies won the White House's backing on Monday after administration officials met with gay rights activists.
The White House budget office sent a letter supporting the proposal to remove the Clinton-era "don't ask, don't tell" law even as the Pentagon continues a review of the system.
Implementation of policy for gays serving openly would still require the approval of President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen. How long implementation might take is not known.
"The proposed amendment will allow for completion of the comprehensive review, enable the Department of Defense to assess the results of the review, and ensure that the implementation of the of the repeal is consistent with standards of military readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion, recruiting and retention," budget chief Peter Orszag wrote in an evening letter to Rep. Patrick Murphy, the Pennsylvania Democrat leading the repeal in the House.
Murphy, an Iraq war veteran, was expected to introduce the legislative proposal on Tuesday.
Gay rights groups urged a quick vote, which could come as early as Thursday. Link
