Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Usurps Role of Congress, Military By Halting Law on Homosexuality in the Military

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Jul 06, 2011, 07:08 ET

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council President and Marine Corps veteran Tony Perkins issued the following statement in response to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision today halting enforcement of the 1993 law against homosexuality in the armed forces (usually referred to as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"):

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"The court has wrongly and irresponsibly usurped the role of Congress, the President and military leaders in setting policy for the armed forces. Last year's repudiated Democratic lame-duck Congress passed legislation that requires certification by President Obama, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before open homosexuality is permitted in the military.

"In light of today's ruling, we call on President Obama to agree to the request made by U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and 31 other House Members who have asked the President to delay the certification until the military has an opportunity to clear up the mass confusion sparked by the policy change. Congress must maintain the ability to protect the military against the threats to good order, morale, discipline, and unit cohesion that would be posed by allowing open homosexuality in the military.

"Unfortunately, today's ruling further complicates an already flawed implementation process. We urge President Obama to appeal this ruling immediately and for the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene and return the decision to where it belongs. This is a decision for Congress that should be based upon the input of the men and women who serve and those who lead them," concluded Perkins.

SOURCE Family Research Council