Tsongas makes it unanimous for Massachusetts House delegation against 'don't ask, don't tell'

By Bryan Bender, Globe Staff

WASHINGTON -- The office of US Representative Niki Tsongas confirmed today that the newest member of the Massachusetts delegation has made good on a key campaign promise, signing her name to a legislative proposal to allow homosexuals to serve openly in the military.

Joining 166 other House cosponsors from both parties, Tsongas makes the Bay State the only one in the nation with all of its House members on record supporting the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would overturn the 1993 policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

"Discrimination based on sexual orientation is intolerable and this flawed policy threatens the readiness of our military by discharging hundreds of vital military personnel critical to our national security," Tsongas, a Lowell Democrat who was elected earlier this year to replace retiring Representative Marty Meehan, told the Globe in a statement.

The legislation has yet to be proposed in the Senate and advocates say they are lobbying members of both parties to find a sponsor.