[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E989-E990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011

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                               speech of

                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 2010

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5136) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe 
     military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
     other purposes:

  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Chair, when the President 
announced his decision to repeal the current policy, known as ``Don't 
Ask, Don't Tell,'' earlier this year, the military service chiefs and 
the Secretary of Defense requested the opportunity to carry out the 
President's directive in an orderly manner that would assure the 
maintenance of discipline and morale in the Armed Forces. It was agreed 
to at that time, including by the President, that a survey would be 
sent to all the troops so that their input would be taken into account 
regarding how best to implement the new policy, and that a report with 
such recommendations as to how to best implement the new policy would 
be issued this December, before any legislative action was taken. I 
believe that process, which was agreed to by the President pursuant to 
the request of the service chiefs and the Secretary of Defense, should 
be followed.
  Breaking the agreement now by having this vote is most unfortunate, 
and I strongly disagree with the decision of the President, the 
Speaker, and the majority leadership to break that agreement today.

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