Amendment to Prohibit Navy Chaplains from Performing Same-Sex Marriages on Military Bases Passes

Press Release

During the open debate on the 2012 Department of Defense authorization bill, Congressman Tim Huelskamp offered an amendment Thursday night that would prohibit the reemergence of a recently rescinded Navy directive that would allow Navy chaplains to perform same-sex marriages. The amendment passed 236-184 on the House floor Friday morning.

Earlier this year, the Navy Chief of Chaplains announced that military chaplains who desire to perform same-sex marriages would be allowed to do so following the repeal of the policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The directive said that chaplains could perform same-sex ceremonies in states where such marriages are legal. Despite a newer directive backing off the policy, the door is still open to reinstatement of the policy. Congressman Huelskamp expressed his concerns about lack of uniformity in military policy and threats to religious freedom.

On the House floor last night, Congressman Huelskamp said: "I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment in order to promote and ensure conformity and uniformity to the military culture, not the other way around; to promote religious liberty of military chaplains; and to promote consistency with federal laws on marriage."

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