MIAMI — One year after the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that barred openly gay and lesbian service members from serving in the military, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) said in an interview with FLDemocracy/WPTV NewsChannel 5 that the controversial policy should not be reinstated.

“Now that it’s done, we should not reverse it,” Ryan said. “I think that would be a step in the wrong direction because people have already disclosed themselves.”

Ryan was one of 160 Republicans and 15 Democrats in the House of Representatives to vote against the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” in 2010.

“I talked to a lot of good friends of mine who are combat leaders in the theater and they just didn’t think the timing of this was right to do this when our troops were in the middle of harm’s way in combat,” Ryan said. “I think this issue is past us. It’s done. And, I think we need to move on.”

The comment came after progressive groups criticized Ryan, the vice presidential candidate, for an appearance at the 2012 Values Voters Summit and accused him of being “out of step” with the views of young Americans.

– Alex Sanz

Tags | Alex Sanz, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, FLDemocracy, Paul Ryan