House Republic Duncan Hunter To Introduce Bill Designed To Stop Repeal Of American Military Policy Prohibiting Openly Gay Service Personal

The Hill reports that Representative Duncan Hunter (Republican-California), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, intends to introduce legislation next week designed to delay the repeal of the military ban prohibiting openly gay service personal, the measure requiring the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy chiefs to submit to the congressional defense committees “written certification that repeal ... will not degrade the readiness, effectiveness, cohesion and morale of combat arms units and personal of the armed force under (each) officer’s jurisdiction engaged in combat, deployed to a combat theatre, or preparing for deployment to a combat theatre.” The repeal bill, signed into law by President Obama December 23rd, requires only the president, defense secretary, and Joints Chief chairman to sign the certification. An aide to Hunter said “The chairman technically speaks for the chiefs, but they should be included in the debate. The chiefs are the ones carrying the burden of combat on their shoulders,” adding that the bill’s emphasis “is one combat troops because when Congress heard from military chiefs, it was the leaders of the Army and Marine Corps who had the strongest concerns – the services that are most engaged in war right now.” The aide said that Hunter could introduce the bill as early as Tuesday evening and that “15-20” members, all Republicans, have signed on in support.