Source: Politico.com, Baltimore Sun, Associated Press
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had to intervene with Defense Secretary Robert Gates in order to get Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin’s domestic partner on a military flight for a congressional fact-finding trip to Europe prior to the Easter recess.

The speaker succeeded, but the issue continues to simmer for both sides. Politico.com reports that the Pentagon appears to be self-conscious about transporting gay domestic partners at a time when it continues to enforce a "don't ask, don't tell" policy in its own ranks. The speaker is sensitive to the gay rights issue but doesn’t want to be drawn into a situation where it appears she is dictating policy for the use of military planes.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), another openly gay lawmaker, believes the military’s initial refusal to let Azar fly with Baldwin has more to do with the Bush administration’s opposition to same-sex marriage than with the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

“I think the military was following orders,” Frank said. “I think the administration disapproves of same-sex marriage.”

A congressional leadership aide confirmed to the Associated Press that the Pentagon had said Baldwin's partner, Lauren Azar, could not go on the trip. Gates reversed that decision after getting the call from Pelosi, according to the aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The Easter recess trip on which Azar accompanied Baldwin was organized by Democratic Rep. Rick Boucher of Virginia, who chairs the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.

Texas Rep. Joe Barton, the ranking Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee, was also on the trip, and was vocal in his support of Baldwin, according to sources on and off the Hill who spoke with Politico reporters Patrick O'Connor and David Rogers. 

Politico reports that many other members got involved in the debate over Azar’s attendance on the trip, according to sources on and off Capitol Hill, and the arguments did not break down along partisan lines.

Under House guidelines, members of Congress may take their spouses with them on military flights if there is room for them and when it is “necessary for protocol purposes.” Although Baldwin, the only openly gay woman elected to Congress, exchanged wedding vows with Lauren Azar in 1998, her home state of Wisconsin does not officially recognize same-sex marriages, and military officials were apparently unwilling to consider Azar a “spouse” within the meaning of the House guidelines.

In appealing to Gates, Pelosi aides said their boss was simply asking the defense secretary to follow a precedent established by her predecessor, former Republican Rep. Dennis Hastert of Illinois. Pelosi told Gates that Hastert had allowed Baldwin to take Azar on a previous trip abroad.

Gates, who was apparently unaware of any earlier trips, told the speaker that she was responsible for the House travel rules and had the authority to make an exception, according to officials on and off the Hill. His only requirement was that Pelosi send him a letter authorizing the trip. Pelosi sent such a letter moments after the phone call ended, and Azar was allowed on the plane.

A former aide to Hastert disputed Pelosi’s argument that he had ever authorized Baldwin to take Azar on a trip. The aide said Hastert did not learn that Azar was on the trip until it had already begun.

“If someone is recollecting that he authorized anything, my recollection would be the opposite,” the former aide said.

The Pentagon doesn't consider it a precedent because it wasn't its own but House rules it was following.

“This is not an issue of DOD regulations,” said Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell. “Secretary Gates honored a request from Speaker Pelosi to make an exception to the House rules.

“But that’s really as far as it goes,” Morrell continued. “This should not be viewed as a precedent which would now permit all nonspouse travel. That said, Secretary Gates will, on a case-by-case basis, entertain the speaker’s future requests to make exceptions.”

Morrell said he expects Pentagon officials to send the speaker’s office their letter within the next few days.

Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly told Politico, “We want to work with Secretary Gates to establish a procedure going forward.”

Full article: Pentagon balked on gay partner travel | Politico.com
Pentagon bends jet travel rule for gay lawmaker | Baltimore Sun (The Swamp)
Gay Partner Initially Barred by Pentagon | Associated Press