Dornan Makes Modification in HIV Law

Rep. Robert K. Dornan announced Friday a 4-month delay in implementation of a controversial law that requires the Pentagon to discharge military personnel infected with the HIV virus.

The postponement, made days after the Senate voted to repeal the Dornan-sponsored law, was to allow time for senators “to get educated on this pandemic,” Dornan (R-Garden Grove) said in a prepared statement. The new discharge date is Dec. 31, 1996, instead of Aug. 10.

The law was tacked onto a defense bill that Clinton signed in February despite his opposition to the discharge requirement. The president has pledged to work for repeal and ordered the Justice Department not to defend the legislation in court.

Earlier this month, a provision to repeal the law was introduced by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass) and William Cohen (R-Maine), who gathered 54 co-sponsors. Opponents of the law say military personnel with HIV are serving their country effectively and should be allowed to continue.

But Dornan said repeal is not an option.

“Substantively, the current law is good public policy,” Dornan said. “Politically, it would make no sense to support repeal of a provision that the House and Senate overwhelmingly approved in various subcommittees and committees and that Clinton signed into law.”