Patrick Murphy: 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Pennsylvania Representative Patrick Murphy is leading the charge to reverse the military's ban on gay servicemen and women.

Murphy is a sponsor of The Military Readiness Enhancement Act which would reverse "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

The Pennsylvania democrat explained on "Good Day," the measure compromises national security and is impeding military readiness for U.S. forces. Murphy said "we need every qualified person to serve in the U.S. military," especially since the country is involved in two wars. Murphy said 13,000 qualified soldiers have left the ranks because of their sexual orientation. The cost to taxpayers has been $1.3-billion.

Murphy said now is the right time to reverse the military's policy. He said when he served as a paratrooper in Iraq, his unit cared about whether colleagues could "fire a rifle, kick down a door, and serve."

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has been in place since 1993. The law forbids gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving openly in the military.