Politics

Critics Charge U. S. Defence fiscal reauthorisation bill gives license to discriminate against gays

WASHINGTON -- The House Armed Service Committee adopted an amendment Wednesday night that expands the so-called “conscience protections” in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act. (NDAA) The amendment, sponsored by Louisiana Republican John Fleming makes a few subtle changes to the original text of the conscience clause, adding language protecting “actions and speech” that would make it more difficult to discipline service members for anti-gay discrimination

Original Text: Requires the Armed Forces to accommodate the beliefs of a service member and chaplain reflecting the service member’s or chaplain’s conscience, moral principles or religious beliefs, and in so far as practicable, would prohibit use of such beliefs as the basis for any adverse personnel action, discrimination, or denial of promotion, schooling, training or assignment. The protection does not protect the speech or conduct of an individual, and preserves the authority to take disciplinary or administrative actions that threaten good order and discipline.

AMENDMENT: Except in cases of military necessity, the Armed Forces shall accommodate the beliefs, actions, and speech of a service member and chaplain reflecting the service member’s or chaplain’s conscience, moral principles or religious beliefs, and in so far as practicable, would prohibit use of such beliefs, actions, or speech as the basis for any adverse personnel action, discrimination, or denial of promotion, schooling, training or assignment. The protection does not protect the speech or conduct of an individual, and preserves the authority to take disciplinary or administrative actions that actually harm good order and discipline.

Critics charge that as written the amendment extends the current protections resulting in situations where servicemembers could go much further in promoting their anti-gay beliefs without fear of discipline. 

According to OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson, this provision suggests that no disciplinary action could be taken until expression of a belief “actually harms,” suggesting that much greater levels of anti-gay of harassment could be tolerated.

"The military already has in place policies that adequately protect a service member’s personal beliefs while also protecting unit cohesion and good order and discipline. 

This amendment is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to sabotage the climate of inclusion and respect for all that our Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of Defense have called for in our military, and would create a license to bully, harass, and discriminate against service members based on religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any number of other characteristics. 

As someone who has led soldiers in the field, I can tell you that is an untenable situation,” added Robinson."

The Senate will begin debating a version of the bill later this month.