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Commander-in-Chief Obama Plays Politics with Military Funding As Hearings Show Progress On DADT Repeal Implementation

April 7, 2011

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans denounce the president's threat to veto a House-passed bill which would fund the government and maintain military funding through September 2011. Log Cabin particularly expresses concern that a shutdown would hinder the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal implementation process, about which the House Armed Services Committee heard testimony today from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"It is unfortunate that on the same day that the House Armed Services Committee is hearing from our military commanders on the success of the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" repeal implementation process that the entire military is operating under the specter of a government shutdown," said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director. "Between Democratic obstructionism and the President's veto threat, all concerned Americans should be aware that a government shutdown would immediately halt the repeal implementation process, delaying the day that all servicemembers can serve openly and honorably.

"As an officer in our armed services, I know that strong leadership at the top of the chain of command is vital to the success of any change in military policy. Today's testimony by General Peter Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army that the DADT repeal training 'facilitates thoughtful and constructive dialogue' and that 'soldier response to repeal has so far been positive' should inspire confidence in the repeal process. The United States military is doing its part to end this failed and unconstitutional policy - it's time for the politicians to get out of the way."