The Military Readiness Enhancement Act
H.R. 1283
The Problem
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue, Don’t Harass” (DADT) – the current policy prohibiting lesbians and gays from serving openly in the U.S. Armed Forces – is the only law in the country that requires people to be dishonest about their personal lives or be fired, possibly even imprisoned. This discriminatory policy hurts military readiness and national security while putting American soldiers fighting overseas at risk.
What is the Military Readiness Enhancement Act?
The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (MREA) ends this discriminatory and unworkable law and replaces DADT with a policy of non-discrimination. MREA repeals 10 U.S.C. 654, the military’s DADT law that requires servicemembers to neither engage in nor disclose a propensity to engage in homosexual acts. MREA adds a new section to Chapter 37 of 10 U.S.C. that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
The legislation permits the U.S. Armed Forces to prescribe and enforce conduct regulations as long as they are designed and applied without regard to sexual orientation. MREA also permits those discharged under DADT to seek to re-enter the military without consideration of their previous separation on the basis of sexual orientation. The bill does not create a private cause of action for damages or require the military to provide dependent benefits.
Americans Support Allowing Lesbian and Gay Servicemembers to Serve Openly
The American public recognizes that DADT is a failed policy. Support by the public for open service by lesbian and gay troops has grown since DADT was introduced over a decade ago. Today, 75% of Americans believe openly lesbian and gay citizens should be able to serve in the U.S. military, compared to 62% in 2001 and 44% in 1993.
Former military leaders such as former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John M. Shalikashvili have called for the repeal of this discriminatory policy, as have more than 100 retired admirals and generals.
What is the Current Status of the Bill?
MREA was introduced in the 111th Congress by Representative Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) in the House. Upon Rep. Tauscher’s confirmation as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Representative Patrick Murphy (D-PA) became the lead sponsor of the bill. There is no Senate bill at this time.
Bill Text:
Related Pages
Other Organizations that Support MREA
For more information, please contact legislation@hrc.org.
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 30, 2009