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Immunity for Don't Ask, Don't Tell Witnesses |
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Written by Jonathan Higbee |
Wednesday, 02 December 2009
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| Tags: don't ask don't tell, hearings, congress, house, immunity, testify, gay soldiers, ban, repeal |
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In order to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Congress needs to have hearings. In order to have hearings, Congress needs witnesses. But under the current discriminatory ban on gay soldiers, conducting a hearing with those willing to testify and "come out" in court might be difficult...unless the House passes legislation granting said witnesses immunity.
From the Los Angeles Times:
The legislation's author, U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., said the bill is needed to ensure that Congress has reliable and relevant witnesses at its disposal if the House holds hearings next year on the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
The bill also would protect from retaliatory personnel actions any members of the military who testify for or against lifting the 16-year ban.
"How can there be anything more important than a gay member of the service having the right to testify before the Armed Services Committee of the Congress that he is under the aegis of," Hastings told The Associated Press. "But if they come and testify, that testimony could be used against them under 'don't ask, don't tell.' In my judgment, it's just a question of fairness."
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