Democratic chairman of House Armed Services Committee opposed to DADT repeal
Tue. June 8, 2010 12:00 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
Rep. Ike Skelton: 'What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?'
Washington, D.C. -
Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Missouri), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, is opposed to repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" because he's worried about children.
Rep. Skelton says that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military will open up a discussion about homosexuality he'd rather not have. And he doesn't want his constituents to have to talk about homosexuality, either.
"What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?" he asked.
Last month, the House voted 234-194 to repeal DADT. Skelton was one of 26 Democrats who voted with the Republicans against it.
After last month's vote, Skelton said that Congress should have waited.
"I am disappointed that my colleagues jumped the gun and acted before the Pentagon could complete its review," he said.
Now, he's concerned about mom, dad and junior sitting at the breakfast table.
"My biggest concern are the families," he said Tuesday.
Rep. Skelton says that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military will open up a discussion about homosexuality he'd rather not have. And he doesn't want his constituents to have to talk about homosexuality, either.
"What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?" he asked.
Last month, the House voted 234-194 to repeal DADT. Skelton was one of 26 Democrats who voted with the Republicans against it.
After last month's vote, Skelton said that Congress should have waited.
"I am disappointed that my colleagues jumped the gun and acted before the Pentagon could complete its review," he said.
Now, he's concerned about mom, dad and junior sitting at the breakfast table.
"My biggest concern are the families," he said Tuesday.