Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

Senator Bingaman has never supported the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy which prohibits gays and lesbians from serving openly in the country's military.  Jeff opposed the policy when it was enacted in 1993 and recently co-sponsored legislation that would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

The Obama Administration ordered a study to evaluate what effects, if any, ending the policy would have on the nation's military, its readiness, and the cohesiveness of military combat units. The Pentagon found that allowing gay men and women to serve openly offers low risk to military readiness.  [Read the full report on the Department of Defense website]  In fact, 70 percent of service members surveyed for the report believe repealing the policy would be positive, mixed, or of no impact at all.

These findings reinforced Sen. Bingaman's belief that serving in the military is the right of all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation.  The Senate is expected to vote on the policy in the near future, and Sen. Bingaman will vote in favor of its repeal.