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Gates promises new look at bill on vets’ parental rights

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By Jessica Wehrman, Staff Writer 11:00 PM Wednesday, May 13, 2009

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Mike Turner secured a promise from the Secretary of Defense that the Defense Department would re-examine its opposition to his measure to protect the custodial rights of parents deployed in the military.

At a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, May 13, Turner, R-Centerville, asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates whether he was aware the department opposed the measure, which would allow only a court to make temporary changes in child-custody arrangements when a service member is deployed.

Gates said he was not.

“I’m opposed to anything that disadvantages our men and women in uniform solely because of their service,” Gates said. “I had not realized that the DoD had opposed this. I’ll go back and find out what this is all about and will commit that I will work with you on that.”

Turner is taking his fourth crack at passing a measure to protect the custodial rights of parents deployed in the military. He was first alerted to the issue after hearing of a Kentucky woman who had to fight for custody of her daughter when she was deployed to Fort Knox to help troops being sent to Iraq.

Although the measure has gotten through the House each time, it has stalled in the Senate.

On Wednesday, Turner cited a four-page letter from the Defense Department as the reason the bills have stalled. The letter indicated the department was “strongly opposed” to the provision because of concerns about states’ rights. At least 21 states have passed laws related to custody issues for service members, and nine other states have considered such legislation.

Turner argued that because military deployments are national in nature, the issue is a federal one.

“Courts have ruled that that time spent away from kids equated to abandoning them, as if they had hopped on a Harley and gone to California to find themselves instead of serving their country,” he said.

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I am active duty Air Force and have a pending motion against me to quote "remove residential parenting rights away because the fathers up coming deployment to Afghanistan". The pre trail ruling is for me to get a signed letter from my commanding officer stating the length and location of my future deployment. Yeah that goin to happen.... As the courts ever heard of national security, information or operational security.
I salute Congressman Turner as this is an outrage.

Thomas Harris
5:33 PM, 1/12/2010

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Thank you Congressman Turner for continuing to pressure the DOD on this issue. A soldier shouldn’t have to lose their family just because they have to ship out.

Janet
3:51 PM, 5/14/2009

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How on Earth could the Department of Defense oppose this? Now more than ever we need to take care of our soldiers and veterans. I can’t believe that it has taken more than 4 times for this bill to get passed. I'm glad someone is trying to preserve the rights and welfare of our brave men and women in uniform.

Stephan
3:24 PM, 5/14/2009

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It is great that we have a Congressman who truly cares about our men and women in uniform and their families. Keep pushing for this Congressman Turner!

Bill
2:49 PM, 5/14/2009

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About time.

Lea
9:16 AM, 5/14/2009

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