Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma on
Monday criticized the Obama administration's decision to extend some
benefits to the spouses of gay service members.
Outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon
Panetta announced the benefits, which include housing privileges,
access to base recreational facilities and joint duty assignments for
couples in the military.
In his written statement, Panetta also
appeared to call for an end to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA),
the 1996 law which prevents the Pentagon from extending equal
benefits to the spouses of gay service members.
“One of the legal limitations to
providing all benefits at this time is the Defense of Marriage Act,
which is still the law of the land,” Panetta wrote. “There are
certain benefits that can only be provided to spouses as defined by
that law, which is now being reviewed by the United States Supreme
Court. While it will not change during my tenure as secretary of
defense, I foresee a time when the law will allow the department to
grant full benefits to service members and their dependents,
irrespective of sexual orientation. Until then, the department will
continue to comply with current law while doing all we can to take
care of all soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and their families.”
Inhofe, the ranking Republican member
of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the administration was
“on a slippery slope.”
“In a weak attempt to not violate the
Defense of Marriage Act, the administration is using a play on words
by saying 'same sex domestic partners' can have access to benefits
instead of 'spouses.' We are on a slippery slope here,” Inhofe
said in a statement.
“Why would the DoD extend benefits to
same-sex partners and then deny cohabiting heterosexual couples the
same benefits?”
“The Department of Defense is
essentially creating a new class of beneficiary that will increase
costs and demand for limited resources that are currently available
for military families, active and reserve forces, and retirees.
President Obama continues to expand the government's financial
obligations to support his liberal social agenda during a time when
this Administration has imposed drastic budget cuts to our military
readiness and national security.”