Courage Campaign

Dianne Feinstein, the senior senator from California, has been an opponent of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” since 1993. Please read an urgent message below from Sen. Feinstein on this new threat to full repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and why we’re coming together to focus on real priorities.

Rick Jacobs
Chair, Courage Campaign

Dear Lacy:

Last month, I proudly cast my vote to repeal the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which I have opposed since it was first introduced in 1993. President Obama signed that bill into law, and it’s now on the path to implementation.

So imagine my disappointment today when I learned California Congressman Duncan Hunter is introducing legislation that would paralyze repeal efforts.

Rep. Hunter knows his legislation has no chance of success. Should it pass the House, it will never be approved by the Senate or signed by the President.

Worse, this effort is a distraction from the real work at hand. California is faced with an unemployment rate of 12.4%, a crushing budget shortfall, alarming health insurance rate hikes, crumbling infrastructure and a broken immigration system. Now is not the time for distractions that have no chance of becoming law.

Will you join me and the Courage Campaign in asking your member of Congress to reject this legislation, and instead focus on real priorities for Californians and the rest of America?

I was proud to co-sponsor of the bill that repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” last month. As President Obama said upon signing repeal, “This is done.”

He’s right. This issue is settled. It’s time to move on to address what California needs, not look backwards to derail equality.

We need to get our economy moving here in California. As your Senator, I’ve always made that my top priority. Immigration reform, building smart infrastructure like high-speed rail that creates good-paying jobs, and helping small businesses succeed are also at the top of my list.

I think those are priorities that we can all agree upon.

Let’s ask the rest of my colleagues from both parties to come together on this. Join me and the Courage Campaign in calling upon your member of Congress to reject this divisive distraction, and focus on getting California and the rest of our nation moving again.

The stakes couldn’t be higher — and we don’t have time to waste.

Yours,

Dianne Feinstein