Virginia Congressman Rob Wittman and dozens of other members of Congress are still stewing over the decision by Andrews Air Force Base to rescind an invitation to an ordained minister and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins was invited to speak at a national prayer luncheon held at Andrews last month. He received his invitation in October, but two days after President Obama delivered his State of the Union address Perkins received a letter saying his invitation had been withdrawn. That was two days after President Obama announced his desire to repeal the miltiary's "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prohibits homosexuals from serving openly in the Armed Forces. Perkins is opposed to repealing "don't ask, don't tell" and immediately started speaking out against the President's plans for repeal.
The decision by the chaplains office at Andrews Air Force Base to rescind the invitation immediately generated questions about free speech and religious expression and dozens of members of Congress want answers. Click here to read the letter they recently sent to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen.