"I served on active duty in the military, and I can tell you we don't care about gender orientation or identity or who you love, we just care if you can shoot straight and complete the mission....This is actually hurting our military readiness, and I hope he reverses his decision."

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA); Colonel, USAF JAG Corps--Current USAF Reserves

"When my Black Hawk helicopter was shot down in Iraq, I didn't care if the American troops risking their lives to help save me were gay, straight, transgender or anything else. All that mattered was they didn't leave me behind." 

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL); Lt. Colonel, US Army (Ret.)