Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 27, 1993 TAG: 9301270216
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
CLINTON: NO VOTE ON BAN
The White House on Tuesday asserted the right to revoke the ban on homosexuals in the military without the consent of Congress.Some Republican lawmakers explored how to force a vote, but the Senate's top Democrat predicted "it will all be worked out."
President Clinton will act swiftly to end the 50-year-old prohibition, spokesman George Stephanopoulos said. "The president has the power to move forward on ending discrimination against homosexuals in the military," he said.
White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers said Clinton probably would announce his decision today. She said, "I don't think it gets any easier" by waiting.
"If we can avoid a legislative battle, that's all to the good," Stephanopoulos said. "But the president remains committed to his policy."
Clinton held his first legislative strategy meeting with congressional leaders, Democrats and Republicans alike, but participants said there was only scant discussion of lifting the military ban on homosexuals.
Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, D-Maine, said outside the White House that he didn't know how the Senate would vote on the issue if it arose. But he added, "I don't think it's going to come to that. . . . I think it will all be worked out beforehand."
Republicans accused Clinton of ignoring the strong objections of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
"These experts are saying something simple: If you are looking for a way to destroy the discipline and de corps of a military unit, it is clear - just inject sexual tension into the barracks," said Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind.
Not all Republicans opposed the White House. Sen. Alfonse D'Amato of New York announced on the Senate floor that he supports Clinton's plan.
"No government has the right to discriminate against any of its own people," D'Amato said. "Gays and heterosexuals have served in the military with honor and they will continue to serve honorably together in the future."
One Republican strategy to force a vote on maintaining the ban called for attaching an amendment to a bill coming before the Senate next week on granting family leave. Another idea was to introduce separate legislation.
"There's a strong feeling we should get to the heart of the issue," Coats said.
Administration officials say Clinton plans to phase in his plan in a two-step process. In the first step, the president would simply direct Defense Secretary Les Aspin to halt the practice of asking the sexual orientation of new recruits and stop proceedings to oust declared homosexuals.
The second phase calls for an executive order formally lifting the ban and addressing problems raised by the Joint Chiefs and others. The White House envisions issuing the order within six months.