Panetta Faces Senate Confirmation Hearing

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/06/09/Panetta_Faces_Senate_Confirmation_Hearing/

CIA director Leon Panetta, President Barack Obama's pick to succeed Defense Secretary Robert Gates, will face the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday in what is expected to be a quick confirmation.

Questions remain as to whether "don't ask, don't tell" repeal will be certified before Gates leaves office on June 30, however. Repeal advocates have urged the administration to certify DADT repeal prior to Gates' departure, in part due to a House amendment to the 2012 national defense bill that could delay repeal.

UPDATE

Homosexual Conduct Policy

The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010," enacted on December 22, 2010, provides for the repeal of the current Department of Defense policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, to be effective 60 days after the Secretary of Defense has received the Department of Defense's comprehensive review on the implementation of such repeal, and the President, Secretary, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs certify to the congressional defense committees that they have considered the report and proposed plan of action, that the Department of Defense has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by such repeal, and that implementation of such repeal, and that implementation of such policies and regulations is consistent with the standards of military readiness and effectiveness, unit cohesion, and military recruiting and retention.

What is your view on repealing the current Department of Defense policy?

Panetta: I support the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 and the certification process defined in the law.

If confirmed, and in the event Secretary Gates does not sign such a certification prior to his departure from office, I will work closely with the Joint Chiefs of Staff to access whether the elements for certification in the law are met before signing it myself.

[TheWraith]

1. It would be nice if Gates got to certify it, he's done a lot of work on this subject.

He deserves to have his name on the paper.

[w8liftinglady]

2. I agree.