Arizona Senator John McCain has denied
a claim by the Christian conservative group Family Research Council
(FRC) that he's working to undo repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”
President
Obama signed a bill on Wednesday that repeals the 1993 law that bans
gay and bisexual troops from serving openly.
The Senate approved repeal over the
weekend after McCain twice rallied fellow Republicans to filibuster a
defense spending bill which included repeal language.
“We'll be spending the next couple of
weeks reassessing the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' debate,” the FRC said
in a blog post Tuesday. “In fact, I've already been in
conversations with Hill leaders about holding hearings in the New
Year, as well as statutory and legislative oversight steps that can
be taken to turn back aspects of the repeal and slow down – if not
stop – the rest.”
“Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and
others will be working with FRC to put a strict evaluation process in
place. We want to ensure that the Pentagon is monitoring the effects
of this radical change on the men and women in harm's way.”
But a McCain source has denied the
claim, telling Talking
Points Memo that “the law has been changed.”
Before senators voted for repeal on
Saturday, McCain, sensing defeat, said, “Today is a very sad day.”