With all the problems and issues facing the United States one would think Republicans in the House of Representatives would have better things to occupy their time and concerns than continuing a jihad against gay Americans. But such is not the case as GOP lackeys of the Christofascist party base continue to prostitute themselves to the most hate filled and toxic component of the GOP. Hence the passage of a defense spending bill that seeks to bar any same sex marriages on military bases and which would make it easier for bigots and homophobes to harass gay service members. With the GOP and its Christofascist masters it is ALWAYS about hatred towards others and punishing those who fail to conform to their hate and fear based religious belief constructs. What's noteworthy is that the GOP wants bigots to be able to discriminate based on race as well. The Washington Blade looks at this latest effort by the GOP to denigrate gay service members. Here are highlights:
The U.S. House on Friday passed major defense budget legislation aimed at authorizing funds for the Pentagon that was inclusive of language restricting LGBT rights.
By a vote of 299-120, the Republican-controlled House approved its version of the fiscal year 2013 defense authorization bill. The $642 billion package aims to provide funding for military programs and pay for service members, but includes anti-gay provisions that were adopted by the House Armed Services Committee during its markup of the legislation.
One provision in the bill, the “conscience protections,” is for military personnel and chaplains who object to homosexuality. Under the language, service members could harass gay colleagues and chaplains could discriminate against service members by religion, gender, sexual orientation or race.
Another provision in the bill would prohibit same-sex couples from holding marriage ceremonies on Defense Department property. The Pentagon has previously issued guidance saying such facilities should be available on a sexual orientation neutral basis.
The White House Office of Management & Budget issued a Statement of Administration Policy earlier this week objecting to the anti-gay provisions, calling language barring same-sex couples from marrying on military bases “potentially unconstitutional.” The White House issued a veto threat on the legislation based on certain provision in the bill, included provisions related to the detention of detainees, but stopped short of explicitly stating the anti-gay language merited a veto.
Similar anti-gay language was included last year in the previous House version of the defense authorization bill. The language was ultimately removed in conference committee before each chamber voted again to approve the final version of the legislation.
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