Gay Republicans Come Out Against Defense Bill Despite 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal

A group of gay Republicans are opposing the defense authorization bill pending in the Senate, despite a provision that would repeal the longstanding ban prohibiting gays from serving openly in the military.

The Log Cabin Republicans say they oppose the defense legislation, which would authorize overall activities and policies for the U.S. military, largely due to another provision in the bill called the DREAM Act, which would enable children born to illegal immigrants to obtain permanent residency status.

Senators are scheduled to take up the defense bill, S. 3454, on Monday. It includes a provision that would repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy which allows gays to serve in the military only if they hide their sexuality. President Obama campaigned against the policy in 2008 and called on lawmakers to repeal the ban during his State of the Union address in January.

But Log Cabin Republicans complain Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), a top target for the GOP in this year's midterm elections, is including the DREAM Act, because his state has the highest percentage of undocumented aliens in the nation.

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, or "DREAM Act," would ensure that millions of children who grow up as Americans will be able to get an education. Students who come to the United States before age 16 and who have been here for five years would be able get their green card after they go to college or serve in the military.

"Senator Harry Reid is treating the United States Senate like his own personal re-election campaign," says R. Clarke Cooper, executive director of the group of gay Republicans. "We are simply asking the majority to play fair and not stack the bill with Democrat-only amendments that help Senator Reid's re-election bid and could potentially kill any Republican support."

Reid, however, is calling for Republican support for the bill, including the DREAM Act, specifically calling for support from Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Obama's vanquished 2008 presidential rival. McCain also is the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“Any American so courageous and patriotic that he or she wants to serve our country in the military should be able to do so. Senator McCain and anyone else who thinks the DREAM Act is not directly related to our national security should talk to the brave young men and women who want to defend our country but are turned away,” Reid says. “And he should also talk to our military leaders in the Defense Department who have said that America’s military readiness depends on recruiting as many well-qualified men and women as possible. The Defense Department’s strategic plan explicitly states that passage of the DREAM Act is critical to helping the military ‘shape and maintain a mission-ready All Volunteer Force.’ And many of our generals in the field believe that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ harms troop morale and combat readiness.

“Senator McCain should know better than anyone that patriots who step up to serve our grateful nation should be offered a path to citizenship, and that anyone who volunteers to serve should be welcomed regardless of their sexual orientation,” Reid adds. “I hope that he will do the right thing and support this bill that not only funds critical support for our troops like weapons upgrades and pay raises, but also ensures that our military reflects our nation’s values.”


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