Raw Story's "Ask Congress" Series

In today's Raw Story's "Ask Congress" series, a reader asks Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) why he has not yet signed on to the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1059).

Congressman Ryan:

Both Congressman Meek and Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz are co-sponsors of H.R. 1059, a House bill which would repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on openly gay troops. The bill is now supported by 110 members of the House, including a majority of Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee (including Congressman Meek). Why have you not signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill? And do you support allowing lesbian and gay Americans to serve openly in our armed forces?

Erin Alexandria, Virginia

I am still weighing the merits of this particular legislation, though I believe firmly that all Americans should be allowed to serve their country without fear of retribution or discrimination. With our country fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is also important to consider this issue in the context of recruitment and financial cost: a recent report by the University of California analyzed the financial cost of the policy to American taxpayers and concluded that the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy cost American taxpayers $364 million-nearly twice what our government estimated. That's money that could have been spent on body armor or up-armored humvees.

-Rebecca Sawyer