According to the NY Times,
Pentagon General Counsel has proposed changing the Uniform Code of Military Justice to decriminalize sodomy except in cases of rape or with persons under age 16.
The Pentagon's principal deputy general counsel, Daniel J. Dell'Orto, described the department's proposal in a memorandum to Senator John W. Warner, Republican of Virginia, who heads the Armed Services Committee, and Representative Duncan L. Hunter, Republican of California and chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. The changes are expected to be discussed at a hearing on Thursday before the armed forces personnel subcommittee in the House.
Human Rights Campaign says this change would "remove a significant obstacle in the fight to end the military's gay ban."
It seems an overdue step to bring the military code in line with Lawrence, yet I'm still taken by surprise. The article doesn't specify a date on the letter--has this proposal been announced previously? The hearing before the personnel subcommittee in the House is today.
I don't have any familiarity with the process of changing the UCMJ...what happens next? And what kind of reaction will this receive from members of Congress? Any idea how this change would impact don't ask/don't tell?