Bachmann, Walz, Meffert speak out on DADT repeal

On Thursday evening, the U.S. House passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would repeal the military’s ban on openly serving gays and lesbians. Rep. Michele Bachmann voted against the amendment, saying Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell works just fine, while Rep. Tim Walz spoke out in support of the repeal on the House floor. Candidate Jim Meffert, a DFLer running against Rep. Erik Paulsen (who voted against the repeal), said the vote honored LGBT men and women fighting to protect America.

“It’s worked since it was put into place,” Bachmann told the St. Cloud Times. “People with same-sex attraction are allowed to serve in the military. It’s just a matter of not making that a vocal issue.”

She chastised Democrats for bringing up the issue. “It’s just an odd sense of priorities,” Bachmann said, “when we’re in the midst of two wars, we have this unstoppable leak in the Gulf of Mexico, out-of-control spending and unmanageable debt.”

Bachmann had earlier offered an amendment allowing military chaplains to conduct overtly religious prayers during non-religious events.

But Walz, the highest-ranking retired enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress, gave his emphatic support for the amendment.

“The greatest privilege I’ve had in my life was serving this nation for almost 25 years in uniform,” he said. “I know how important it is to fill our military with qualified, professional, motivated volunteers. We are blessed in this nation, that’s exactly what we have. It’s time for us to honor their professionalism and know that they’re ready to end this discriminatory practice.”

DFL candidate Jim Meffert praised the passage of the repeal amendment:

“As we approach Memorial Day and prepare to honor the American servicemen and women who have fought and died for our nation and our freedom, it is more than fitting that Congress has passed legislation that spells the beginning of the end of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. I congratulate Congress on taking this important step toward ending this discriminatory policy that has forced so many of our enlisted women and men to conceal their identities in order to serve their country.

“Repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is the least we can do to honor the sacrifices and selfless dedication of our LGBT men and women in uniform. Further, it will be an important milestone in the movement to end the politics of division and achieve full equality for all Americans.”

The vote passed by a vote of 234 to 194. Bachmann and Reps. John Kline, Erik Paulsen and Collin Peterson voted against the repeal. Walz, along with Reps. Keith Ellison, Betty McCollum and James Oberstar voted for the amendment.