The Defense Department announced that it is ready to stop enforcing its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays in the military. That message goes to President Obama, who will then formally notify Congress. The policy officially ends 60 days after that notification.
President Obama signed the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the military's ban on service by openly gay and lesbian personnel. In his remarks prior to signing the legislation he spoke about efforts to pass repeal, historic service by gay and lesbian personnel, and said he was proud to sign a law that "will strengthen our national security and uphold the ideals that our fighting men and women risk their lives to defend."
Hon. John F. Kennedy - Hon. Luis Muñoz Marín December 15, 1961
Barack Obama paid Puerto Rico its first official U.S. presidential visit in 50 years on Tuesday, courting an important slice of Hispanic voters on the mainland who could help his re-election chances in 2012.
At an arrival ceremony in an aircraft hanger, Obama expressed support for an eventual decision by Puerto Ricans on the U.S. island territory's status and said his administration was working to strengthen its recession-battered economy.
"When the people of Puerto Rico make a clear decision, my administration will stand by you," he told a cheering crowd.
"We're giving Puerto Ricans the tools they need to build their own future," the president said. "We are going to put people back to work here in Puerto Rico and all across America."
