Rep. Schiff spoke with Washington Post reporter Ernesto Londoño about his efforts to encourage Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to extend benefits to same-sex couples and LGBT soldiers serving in our nation's military.  An excerpt of the artcile is below.

Gay rights activists and lawmakers who have pushed the Pentagon to offer benefits to same sex couples say the military can take meaningful steps now. These include offering gay spouses military identification cards, access to commissaries and family support programs. The military could also offer same-sex couples transportation privileges for couples stationed abroad, according to those pressing for expanded benefits.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) sent a letter to Panetta co-signed by 25 lawmakers urging him to extend these benefits as a matter of policy.

“As long as they remain in place, these restrictions have the effect of perpetuating discrimination against same-sex spouses and their families,” the congressman wrote. “Department of Defense current policy is treating same sex service members, their spouses and families as second class citizens.”

You can read the full article here.