“With the implementation of open service coming later this month, the legislation Representative Hunter demands would retrench an outdated mindset when our national security must remain battle focused for twenty-first century challenges,” said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director, combat veteran and Captain in the US Army Reserve. “The proposed bill would do nothing to protect servicemembers. This invasive legislation undermines the chain of command in a way that degrades unit cohesion and seriously jeopardizes military readiness, and should be summarily rejected.”

Cooper continued, “Log Cabin Republicans honor leaders like Senators Susan Collins and Scott Brown for their work to pass the Repeal Act with bipartisan majorities, helping advance our nation’s military to face tomorrow’s challenges with the talents of all Americans. With ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ soon behind us, we must focus on cutting spending, reducing the deficit, and establishing a confident foreign policy.”

Log Cabin Republicans will be honoring Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Scott Brown (R-MA) for their work in repealing the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy at the 2011 Spirit of Lincoln Awards Dinner on Tuesday, September 20th at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Additionally Congressman Richard Hanna and Congresswoman Nan Hayworth will also be honored.