Denver, CO –Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement after a minority of senators blocked the National Defense Authorization Act, which would have provided pay raises for service members, body armor to keep them safe and repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the policy banning gays from serving openly in the military:
“Washington’s political games are preventing us from moving forward on a critical bill that supports our troops and keeps our country safe. It makes no sense to me, or to the people of Colorado, that partisanship stands in the way of a pay raise for our troops or the provision of the resources they need to carry out their missions. Our military men and women deserve better than a politics that holds their pay and their support hostage for political gain.
“I’m also disappointed a minority of senators blocked us from moving forward on the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Military leaders and a solid majority of the American people agree that it’s time to relegate this outdated and short-sighted policy to the dustbin of history. It’s time to stop denying brave and patriotic Americans the opportunity to serve their country, and it’s time to put aside political games and get to work on this bill for our military men and women.”