Military chaplains could decline to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies under a measure approved this week by the Senate.
The amendment, proposed by Sen. Roger Wicker,
R-Miss., was added Wednesday to the massive, must-pass defense spending
bill. The Senate approved the spending bill Thursday night by a vote of
93-7.
The chaplain proposal comes after the Pentagon in September authorized chaplains to perform the ceremonies -- as long as it's allowed by state law -- as the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy banning gays from serving openly in the military took effect.
Wicker said the proposal would allow
chaplains to "maintain the freedom of conscience necessary to serve both
their nation and their religion without conflict." More Read
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