http://thehill.com/homenews/house/99095-pelosi-push-on-dont-ask-dont-tell-puts-panel-chairman-in-a-tough-spotRep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) is in a politically awkward position on the Pentagon’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
Democratic leaders, working with gay-rights activists, are looking for ways to scrap the ban on openly gay men and women serving in the military. But Skelton, a GOP target this fall and one of the original architects of the ban, opposes efforts to repeal it.
The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee has been able so far to fend off efforts to alter the law. But Skelton is facing an uphill battle when the House votes on the defense authorization bill, which may occur next week.
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Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), the openly gay chairman of the Financial Services Committee and a close Pelosi ally, said that he is working with Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.), the lead sponsor of repeal legislation, to figure out the best way to strike the ban.