Rep. Huelskamp co-sponsors bill to delay DADT repeal

January 20, 2011|By Chris Durden | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WASHINGTON) — Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) is co-sponsoring legislation aimed at delaying the repeal the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy.

The Restore Military Readiness Act was introduced by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA). The legislation requires all four military service chiefs certify implementation of the DAD repeal does not impact combat readiness and effectiveness.

Congress repealed DADT in late 2010. The law requires the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to certify the military is ready for repeal before the policy officially ends.

"The idea behind the Restore Military Readiness Act is not necessarily to prevent the implementation of the DADT repeal, but rather to ensure that military readiness and combat effectiveness are not adversely impacted,” said Congressman Hunter, a Republican and veteran.

Opponents of Hunter's bill believe it is just another way to delay ending DADT which prevents gays and lesbians from serving opening in the military. In the coming days, the Pentagon is expected to detail how it plans to implement the repeal over coming months.

If it gets to the floor, Hunter's bill is expected to pass the House but action is unlikely in the Senate. A number of Republicans joined with Democrats in passing the DADT repeal in the lame-duck session.

Meantime, a new Government Accountability Office report finds the military spent $193.3 million between 2004 and 2009 to replace around 3,660 troops discharged under DADT.

A Palm Center study in 2006 reported $363.8 million was spent by the military in the policy’s first ten years. The Palm Center is a research institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara which promotes study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people in the armed forces.

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