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Carl Levin Makes It Clear That The Troops Do Not Have Veto Power Over DADT Repeal

07/13/10-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
Senator Carl Levin, the Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has stated that he understands the frustration that many in the LGBT Community feel regarding the slow process of repealing DADT. Senator Levin spoke to reporters at a breakfast held by the Christian Science Monitor. Regarding the phrasing of the survey, that he has not read, he “can understand the resentment in the gay community.” He stated “the military is not a democracy.”

The Michigan Senator predicted that there would not be a filibuster because those who oppose the repeal of DADT are unlikely to oppose funding the troops. According to Levin “It’s a very good idea to get the attitude of the troops on things,” but that the troops needed to understand that this is not about them having the veto power over the repeal of DADT.

“A lot depends about how the survey is worded … [the Pentagon must] make sure they understand military leadership made a decision. [Military leaders are] asking these questions as a way to help us implement this effectively,” Levin stated. Levin does feel that the Pentagon should have asked whether or not it was alright to discriminate against lesbians and gays.

Levin stated that Congress was not asked about the wording of the survey. In response to a question regarding whether or not the survey results would be released to the public, Levin stated “They will probably leak but they won’t be leaked at my suggestion.”