NEWS FLASH

Anti-Gay Amendments Dropped From Defense Bill | The House and Senate have reached a compromise on the National Defense Authorization Act that includes dropping both anti-gay provisions from the bill. Rep. Vicky Hartzler’s (R-MO) amendment had “reaffirmed” the Defense of Marriage Act as applicable throughout the Department of Defense, while Rep. Todd Akin’s (R-MO) would have prohibited military chaplains from performing same-sex marriages. However, lawmakers also removed a Senate amendment dropping anti-sodomy provisions from the Uniform Code of Military Justice.