WASHINGTON, DC – As the Senate Armed Services Committee holds a hearing on the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy, Congressman John Garamendi issued the following statement:

"Our country is suffering from a failed policy. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ has robbed our national defense of over 13,000 vital troops and armed service personnel, including scores of Arabic translators. To cover the unnecessary costs of recruitment and retraining, taxpayers have been charged up to half a billion dollars because of DADT. At a time when America is fighting wars on two fronts and facing financial uncertainty, it is painfully clear that we must work swiftly to end DADT. All Americans, gay or straight, should be able to proudly serve our country."