Democrats Pushing for 'Gays in the Military'
A Massachusetts Democrat on Wednesday plans to re-introduce a bill repealing the congressional ban on homosexuals serving in the military.
Rep. Marty Meehan's Military Readiness Enhancement Act died last year in the Republican-controlled Congress. But with Democrats in charge, Meehan is more optimistic about passing the bill.
Meehan, who chairs the Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, plans to hold hearings as early as April, USA Today reported.
Meehan's bill would require the U.S. Armed Forces to adopt a policy of nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation - allowing homosexuals to openly serve in the military, something they cannot do now.
Three Republicans have signed on, including Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida.
Since the Clinton-era "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" enforcement policy took effect, almost 11,000 troops have been discharged from the military, USA Today reported.
("Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was Bill Clinton's way of getting around the 1993 federal law that says homosexuality is incompatible with military service. The Clinton policy allowed homosexuals to serve in the military as long as they kept quiet about their sexual orientation. Critics have long argued that the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" enforcement policy is inconsistent with federal law.)
Meehan and his supporters argue that his bill will strengthen the military by retaining valuable servicemembers.
But opposition to homosexuals serving in the military remains strong in conservative quarters.
A Massachusetts Democrat on Wednesday plans to re-introduce a bill repealing the congressional ban on homosexuals serving in the military.
Rep. Marty Meehan's Military Readiness Enhancement Act died last year in the Republican-controlled Congress. But with Democrats in charge, Meehan is more optimistic about passing the bill.
Meehan, who chairs the Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, plans to hold hearings as early as April, USA Today reported.
Meehan's bill would require the U.S. Armed Forces to adopt a policy of nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation - allowing homosexuals to openly serve in the military, something they cannot do now.
Three Republicans have signed on, including Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida.
Since the Clinton-era "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" enforcement policy took effect, almost 11,000 troops have been discharged from the military, USA Today reported.
("Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was Bill Clinton's way of getting around the 1993 federal law that says homosexuality is incompatible with military service. The Clinton policy allowed homosexuals to serve in the military as long as they kept quiet about their sexual orientation. Critics have long argued that the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" enforcement policy is inconsistent with federal law.)
Meehan and his supporters argue that his bill will strengthen the military by retaining valuable servicemembers.
But opposition to homosexuals serving in the military remains strong in conservative quarters.