Raul Labrador, the Republican candidate for Congress in Idaho’s 1st District, is critical of Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick’s vote on legislation that could repeal a policy preventing gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military. Minnick voted in favor of a plan to end the don’t ask, don’t tell policy. The change would go into effect if a survey conducted by the armed forces determines that allowing homosexuals to serve openly would not be disruptive.
“Mr. Minnick’s vote is a disappointment to me, and disappointment for most Idahoans,” Labrador, a state representative from Eagle, said in a statement on his campaign website. “His vote seems especially inappropriate on Memorial Day Weekend. The Clinton Administration found a practical solution to this problem which guarded the military’s integrity. But Nancy Pelosi wanted to appease her base. I am surprised Walt Minnick chose to support her social and political agenda rather than the values of Idaho.”
Idaho’s other member of the U.S. House, Republican Mike Simpson, voted against repealing don’t ask, don’t tell. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the plan in June. Read IdahoReporter.com’s story on the House vote, with statements from Minnick and Simpson, here.
