President Barack Obama on Wednesday
signed a defense bill which includes a “conscience” provision
which protects troops from being punished for their beliefs.
Obama called the provision, known as
Section 533, “unnecessary and ill-advised” in his signing
statement.
“Section 533 is an unnecessary and
ill-advised provision, as the military already appropriately protects
the freedom of conscience of chaplains and service members,” Obama
said. “The Secretary of Defense will ensure that the implementing
regulations do not permit or condone discriminatory actions that
compromise good order and discipline or otherwise violate military
codes of conduct.”
Soon after repeal of “Don't Ask,
Don't Tell,” some House Republicans began arguing that without
protections in place service members who disagree with open military
service would be punished and that chaplains would be forced to marry
gay couples.
Section 533, however, is a watered-down
version of outgoing Rep. Todd Akin's proposed amendment, which also
prohibited the weddings of gay couples from taking place on military
bases.
A bipartisan group of House and Senate
lawmakers agreed to include Section 533.