FRC Praises Armed Services Committee for Upholding Defense of Marriage Act, Religious Liberty

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council commended the House Armed Services Committee for approving amendments to the Defense Authorization bill that would ensure the military adheres to the Defense of Marriage Act.  The measure also requires all four military service chiefs to certify that implementation of the repeal of the ban on homosexuals in the Armed Forces will not adversely affect combat readiness and effectiveness.

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Of the votes, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins made the following comments:

"I commend the House Armed Services Committee for affirming that federal law trumps the demands of those who would use the military to advance a liberal social agenda. The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – which governs not just the military, but every federal entity – states that marriage is the legal union of a man and a woman.  

"Opening the military to same-sex weddings would not only violate federal law but also seriously threaten the religious liberty of military chaplains.  If the Navy enforces its referral policy, any chaplain declining to perform a same-sex wedding would be required to find someone who would perform the wedding.   This referral order is a direct assault on the freedom of conscience.  And if it's enforced, it could be what drives many chaplains out of the military altogether.

"I applaud the committee and U.S. Reps. Todd Akin (R-MO) and Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) for their efforts to protect religious freedom while reinforcing federal law that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

"I also thank U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) for his efforts to strengthen the voice of military service chiefs during the repeal process.  

"Last year, a lame-duck session of Congress voted to overturn the law on homosexuals in the military only 18 days after the Pentagon released a report that raised more questions than it answered.  The Restore Military Readiness Act will ensure a more thoughtful and deliberative process that fully includes the input of our military leaders," concluded Perkins.

SOURCE Family Research Council