Hawaii Congressman Charles Djou says he
favors repeal of the military's ban on gay service to stop dishonest
gay troops from gaming the system.
Djou, one of the Republicans who voted
in favor of repeal, told
Politics
Daily's
Matt Lewis that his objection to the law stems from gay troops
cheating the government.
“I voted in favor of repealing 'Don't
Ask, Don't Tell,' simply based on my experience having served as an
officer in the United States Army Reserves,” he said. “I saw too
many examples where … individuals would take, say, a large
re-enlistment bonus when something is offered to stay in the Army.
Then, all of the sudden, when the unit would get mobilized to go
fight in Iraq or Afghanistan, that very same individual … would all
of the sudden declare that they're gay, and get out, and be allowed
to keep that enlistment bonus. I don't think that's fair. I don't
think it works.”
Djou added that the law that has ended
the military careers of over 13,000 gay or bisexual service members
“is a failed policy.” “It is not necessary to the protection
of our nation or our national security.”