Levin asks early release of DADT study

WASHINGTON DC –
Countering speculation that U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) might agree to stripping the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" from the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, Levin's press office stated to BTL Nov. 22 that, as Chair of the Senate Arms Services Committee, he remains fully supportive of repealing DADT through the NDAA this year. Also, BTL was told that Levin requested the Pentagon to release a much-anticipated report on DADT earlier than the Dec. 1 due date. The Pentagon has agreed to the early release, and Levin's office plans to schedule hearings as early as next week on the report and the repeal of DADT.
Rumors began to fly last week when a dozen Democrats and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut, urged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to allow an extended debate on the wide-ranging defense authorization bill, which includes language repealing DADT. Reid floated the idea of stripping the repeal of DADT from the NDAA, according to Levin's office, leading to speculation that Levin might be willing to go along. Levin's spokesman was clear that is not the case.