Don Nickles: “If they want to have that policy--right now they are able to choose to have such a policy. If this legislation became…”

“If they want to have that policy--right now they are able to choose to have such a policy. If this legislation became law, they could be sued. I think it is important to point that out. Do we want to give that kind of special status to behavior that many Americans find objectionable? Some people have said, ``Well, it's immutable.'' I would debate that or question that. But many, many people feel, because of Biblical orientation, that it is immoral. Do we want to give that special protection and status to ``sexual orientation'' under the Civil Rights Act? I met with a couple of black ministers who were very offended by the assessment of some that, well, this is just another special class that needs special status, such as race and gender. They are offended because they participated in civil rights demonstrations and they worked to bring about civil rights for minorities. They are very, very offended by this. So, Mr. President, I just make that comment. Plus, I want to make another comment in regard to the military. The legislation exempts the military. I guess everybody applauds that. This Congress, 3 years ago, voted basically to repeal President Clinton's efforts to say that homosexuals should serve in the military. It was one of President Clinton's first efforts in this Congress. In a bipartisan fashion, we said we do not agree, and we changed the President's policy. He did not like it, but we changed it.”