After drawing criticism for past anti-gay comments, Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel on Tuesday expressed his full support for the repeal of military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and promised to extend equal benefits to gay service members as provided by law, the Huffington Post reports.
“I fully support the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010 and value the service of all those who fight for our country,” said the former Republican Nebraska senator in a letter to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). “I know firsthand the profound sacrifice our service members and their families make, and if confirmed as Secretary of Defense, I will do everything possible to the extend permissible under current law to provide equal benefits to the families of all our service members.”