By Steven Martin
The 2013 Defense Authorization Bill under debate today in the U.S. House of Representatives includes a pair of amendments stemming from the lifting of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".
One allows military chaplains to voice their religious views on homosexuality without fear of punishment. Supporters say chaplains need this protection.
Opponents say it could subject gay service members to harassment.
"You could have a chaplain create a situation where they are going to blackball a gay member of the military in a manner that could be very harmful," said Peninsula Congresswoman Jackie Speier, who voted against the amendment in committee.
Speier also voted against a measure barring same sex marriages from being performed on military bases. Both amendments passed the committee vote and are now part of the main bill.
Source: http://speier.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=665:house-debates-bill-that-would-protect-anti-gay-chaplains&catid=2:jackie-in-the-news&Itemid=15
