LIVEBLOG: House of Representatives General Debate on DADT Repeal Standalone Bill

UPDATE: 5:05 pm EST: House vote happening now

This is a liveblog of the General Debate in the House on the DADT repeal standalone bill. Text below the fold.

Rep. Chellie Pingree this morning in the House.

1520: General debate has begun. Rep Susan Davis has the floor. She points out that the conditions for repeal are ripe. The House has conducted several hearings, which most Republicans did not bother to attend. She cites the positive outcomes of the "study" and the desire of the SECDEF and CJCS to see this done. The service chiefs, despite reservations, are ready to implement. LGB servicemembers have the same values as straight ones - honor, integrity, service to others over self. "If we miss this opportunity to repeal this law, history will judge us poorly, for the damage we have done."

1528: Rep. Buck McKeon is angry at Speaker Pelosi. He is angry that Republicans filibustered the NDAA, but somehow manages to blame it on the Democrats liberal agenda. We shouldn't be changing anything in the middle of a war. Negative impact, blah blah blah. The service chiefs are "closer to the pulses of the troops" than the SECDEF and CJCS, and Gen. Amos  is right about the Marines being little wussies.

1535: Rep Davis rebuts: this bill does not implement repeal immediately, but when the Pentagon says they can.

1536: Speaker Pelosi - It's been a long time coming, but now is the time to act on this. She commends Rep. Murphy, citing his military leadership. "Today we have an opportunity to correct a fundamental unfairness in our nation." Repeal will honor the service and sacrifice of all.

1541: Rep. Joe Wilson once again blames Senate Dems for failling to pass NDAA even though the Rs were the ones who blocked it. The services are overtaxed, etc. The House should take the time to look at the entire Pentagon report, and should hold hearing next year.

1544: Rep. Vic Snyder speaks of the tremendous impact of LGB people all over America, and that repeal allows the military to catch up with the rest of America, and that his children will be the better for it.

1545: Rep Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) wonders at our priorities. He says that the 50-55% who didn't bother answering the survey should be taken. "I may not endorse the prejudices that are out there, but I can't ignore that they're out there."

1547: Rep. Adam Smith  - "We have studied this to death and it is time to ACT." How does it make our military safer to drive out thousands who are serving and serving well? It doesn't. It is WAY past time to repeal this law, strengthen our military, and all gays and lesbians to serve our country.

1549: Rep. Todd Akin - this is a total eclipse of reason. For the first time we haven't passed a defense bill and instead are debating a social agenda. But no, we're going to impose something when we're fighting two wars. I have two sons currently in the Marines, they said this is a lousy idea.

1551: Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) - Look at the past. Look at racial integration. Our military has thrived since racial integration. Colin Powell, retired CJCS, someone who experienced all of the unit leadership we're talking about, supports this repeal. But I urge you all to listen to the silent voices, those of the LGB servicemembers lying maimed in hospitals, who cannot receive visits from the person they love. I urge you all to listen to the voices of the fallen whose service has not been honored. This should have been done a long time ago.

1554: Rep Doug Lanborn (R-CO)  - I am concerned about our front-line Marines, our combat troops. It is irresponsible of Congress to fail to pass NDAA, but at the last minute attempt to placate the Democrat liberal base by pushing repeal.

1556: Rep. John Lewis - VOTE YES. I want to see his speech on YouTube later.

1558: Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) - Our military needs more time to study and deal with this and not force this policy on our troops.

1559: Rep. James Langeven (D-RI) -  At no time should we be discharging qualified troops who want to serve. At a time when our military needs every qualified person to serve, it is time to repeal this policy.

1601: Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) - This is a distraction, and we need to focus on winning in Iraq and Afghanistan.

1604: Rep. Patrick Murphy - Today we have a chance to do what is right. We have heard every excuse under the sun. First it was, "We need to study." Well, the Pentagon studied it, and said they'd be fine. Then it was, "We need to hear from our leaders." Our troops and leadership have spoken. ENOUGH OF THE GAMES. Our troops are the best of the best, and they need a Congress who will put their safety and wellbeing about partisan games. ADM Mullen testified that this is about integrity in the military. This is also about the integrity of THIS institution. "This vote is about whether we're going to continue telling those willing to die for our freedoms that they need to lie in order to do so. I urge my colleageus to vote yes on repeal."

1607: Rep. John Fleming - The Pentagon study was flawed because it didn't ask whether, but how. Think of the logistical headaches this will cause. And then there's a question of Constitutionality. SCOTUS says that the military is a special institution. Marines and Army combat troops do not want this.

1610: Rep. Steny Hoyer - "It is never too late to do the right thing, and that is the proposition that is before this House." The ultimate litmus test is whether people are qualified and committed to the job. The NDAA, which we passed in May, is still in the Senate because the minority party has refused to allow it to move. By a vote of 234-194 this body voted to repeal this outdated policy pending a comprehensive report. That study was undertaken, has ben reported, and showed that some 70% of the members survey said, "No problem." Again, I'm worried about somebody who can shoot straight, who has the courage and willingness to serve our country. The views of over 115,000 people were taken into that study. "The risk of repeal to overall military readiness is low." Our troops stand with our military leaders and the vast majority of Americans, who would be baffled at the fear which my Republican colleagues have shown regarding this issue. You serve with gays and lesbians here in this body every day, whether they are members, staff, or visitors, and you have no problem. Disabuse yourself of the notion that you do.  We can do it in this body, or have the courts do it. I talked to SECDEF earlier this week, and he said "pass this bill, because we need a legislative, not a court-imposed solution." Mullen wants it through the same process through which the law was enacted. I told my friends, the SECDEF and CJCS, that we would. It's a hard choice to reject a considered, thoughtful planned approach that SECDEF and CJCS believe will happen. It is time to end the policy of discrimination, which ended the careers of some 13,500 people. They were not discharged for any misconduct, but simply because they were gay. A young man named Ian Golden wrote to me. "I joined the ROTC after the SOTU address. I always wanted to serve, but never did because I'm gay. I joined after the SOTU because I didn't think I'd have to hide. I was in the top of my class of cadet privates, but it became increasingly difficult to hide. The policy asks people to lie. Honor, duty, country. Lying is not a component point of that philosophy, but that's what we expect. After learning about the continuing delays in Congress, I quit ROTC. I will be studying abroad in Cairo. I am an Arabic speaker and an A student. When this ban is lifted, I will gladly serve. There are many more like me." We have an opportunity to accept those who are willing, able, and ready to serve their country. Mr. McKeon, when I ended my debate in May, you mentioned Colin Powell. I did not respond at that time. But Colin Powell has changed his perspective in the 17 years since, because he believes the time has come for us to do the right thing.

1625: Rep. Louie Gohmert is going apes**t. "The military is inconsistent with American values - it does not have the freedom of speech, the freeom of assembly. It doesn't work. This is one of those issues that is so central to the military that we need to take another, more comprehensive poll."

1628: Rep. Silvester Reyes (D-TX) - We all know that there are gays and lesbian serving in the military. This is not about that. This is about the fact that we ask them to lie. I represent a large military facility in my district, so I get an opportunity to ask the troops. Their opinions track with the study. They don't care. They care that he or she performs in combat. It's that simple. I urge for repeal.

1630: Rep. Judy Chu wishes to submit her statement for the record, but will not expound on the floor.

1630: REP JOE SESTAK HAS THE FLOOR. As a commander of an aircraft carrier, I always wondered how I could ask those gay and lesbian sailors under me to serve, and go home to a place where they had no rights. The average age of the sailor is 19 1/2. They don't care. We don't do this just for equality. We do this because we want the best of the best, and that's why I support repeal.

1632: Rep. Barney Frank - Let's get over the b.s. that Dems are holding up the NDAA. It is the Republicans who have blocked it twice in the Senate. And let's talk about distractions. Rep. Gohmert talked about distraction. You don't think having DADT hanging over someone's head is a distraction? And we keep hearing about Colin Powell. I asked Colin Powell 20 years ago if he meant that LGB people are not good at their jobs. He said no. It is that there are bigots in the Armed Forces, and on the other side of the aisle. That is the problem

1635: Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) - Let me state the obvious - we are a nation at war. This is about recruitment, unit cohesiveness, and retention. We need to listen to our troops, and not put them at further risk. DADT is successful, and should remain.

1639: Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN) a career enlisted soldier (24 years) is offended by the notion that our troops can't handle a chance in policy. Asking these brave soldiers to lie goes against everything they stand for. In a few moments

1640: Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN) - the SCOTUS allows the military to discriminate. Why do we do that? Because we want the very best. Tolerance does not require a moral equivalency. Repeal is a bad idea.

1642: Rep. John Buccieri (D-OH), a Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. The issue before us is that our military, which is supposed to spread freedom, is being asked to deny freedom within themselves. When you take an oath to die for our freedom, it matters not who you love at home.

1644: Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) - I do not believe that our military men and women are so fragile that having a gay person next to them will kill them. The mission of our armed forces is to deter war and to protect the security of our country. If a soldier is willing and capable to fight for this country, but our government denies him or her because that soldier is gay, then it is not the soldier, but the government who is damaging our country.

1646: Rep Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) -- I want to talk about the cost to the men and women who have been kicked out under this policy. Why has this body not talked about the cost of this policy.

1647: Rep Tammy Baldwin: I rise to urge my colleagues to do the right thing and vote to repeal. We know after 17 years that this policy is unjust, discriminatory, and unAmerican. The Pentagon study has shown that our troops are overwhelmingly ready for this change. It is long past time to end this policy.

1648: Rep Duncan Hunter: This is about our combat troops and repeal will cost lives.

1649: Rep. Laura Richardson - We took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and it is time we started doing it.

1650: Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) We need the best fighters right now, the best soldiers.

1651: Rep Al Green: I will not ask people willing to die for my country to lie. As a black man, my life has prepared me for this vote, a lifetime of sitting in the back of the bus, the balcony at the movie theaters, and standing in lines for "coloreds only."

1652: Rep. Buck McKeon finishing up. I don't where he's getting this 67% think there will be a negative impact number from.

1654: Rep. Susan Davis - No more excuses. It is time to take away the barriers from people who put service above self, and want to serve our country.