Sources: Agreement possible on push by Congress to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell'

[jefferson_dem]

Sources: Agreement possible on push by Congress to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell'
Posted: May 24th, 2010 07:05 PM ET

From CNN's Dana Bash and Deirdre Walsh

Washington (CNN) - Congressional Democrats were working toward an agreement Monday with the White House and possibly the Pentagon on a legislative step toward repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bars openly gay soldiers from the military, sources told CNN.

In a letter to President Barack Obama obtained by CNN, three congressional sponsors of legislation to repeal the policy outlined the proposed agreement that would set contingencies based on completion of a military review of the matter already underway and subsequent final approval from the president and military leaders.

"We have developed a legislative proposal for consideration by the House and Senate that puts a process in place to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" once the working group has completed its review and you, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs certify that repeal can be achieved consistent with the military's standards of readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention," said the letter sent Monday night that was signed by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan, Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Connecticut, and Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pennsylvania.

Congressional Democratic sources said they hoped Gates himself would explicity support the compromise language because that could determine whether the measure will pass. Several Democrrats in the Senate and House have said they are reluctant to support any legislation that doesn't have complete backing of the Pentagon.

There was no formal comment from the Pentagon on a possible agreement.

"Given that Congress insists on addressing this issue this week, we are trying to gain a better understanding of the legislative proposals they will be considering," said a statement by Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell.

Initial votes on the measure in the Senate Armed Services Committee and the full House could occur as soon as Thursday, the sources said.

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http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/24/sources-agreement-possible-on-push-by-congress-to-repeal-dont-ask-dont-tell/?fbid=B63NQ7tPGZw

[Cha]

1. Thank you Jefferson. Rec