SUNBURY — U.S. Rep. Chris Carney and his Republican opponent, former U.S. Attorney Tom Marino, are balking on the repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the service.
Carney, D-10, of Dimock, voted against the repeal, and Marino said he agreed with the decision.
Don't ask, don't tell is a policy restricting the U.S. military from efforts to discover closeted gay, lesbian and bisexual service members or applicants, while barring those that are openly gay, lesbian or bisexual from military service.
"I did not vote for the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' because every service chief at the Pentagon requested that Congress wait until a review of the consequences of repealing the policy is completed later this year," Carney said.
"I believe it is Congress' duty to honor their request and keep faith with the leaders of our armed forces without regard to political expediency. As someone who still wears the uniform, I refuse to play politics with our national security."
The "don't ask" part of the policy states that superiors should not investigate a service member's sexual orientation.
Marino said he believes it doesn't matter what a person's sexual preference is.
"Anyone that wants to protect me and my family has my blessing," Marino said. "The leaders of the military know how to address any problems and I have full faith in them."
Carney agreed.
"I believe that all men and women should have the opportunity to serve our nation in uniform," he said.
On May 27, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Murphy amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 on a 234-194 vote that would repeal the relevant sections of the law 60 days after a study by the U.S. Department of Defense is completed.
n E-mail comments to fscarcella@dailyitem.com.
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