Hill panel votes to delay gays in the military

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AP.org:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A House panel voted Wednesday to delay President Barack Obama's new policy allowing gays to serve openly in the military despite Defense Secretary Robert Gates' argument that repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" will have little impact on the armed forces.

In a series of contentious votes, the Republican-controlled House Armed Services Committee added provisions to the military budget for next year that strikes at the policy. The votes came even as Americans increasingly support an end to the 17-year-old ban, with polls finding three-quarters say openly gay men and women should be allowed to serve in the military.

The committee, on a 33-27 vote, adopted an amendment by Rep. Duncan Hunter Jr., R-Calif., that would require all four service chiefs to certify that the change won't hurt readiness or undermine the military. The repeal law only requires certification from the president, defense secretary and the Joint Chiefs chairman.