In a confirmation hearing today, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) asked Army Secretary nominee Rep. John McHugh (R-NY) his views on the importance of allowing individual soldiers religious freedom. McHugh responded in terms of the role of chaplains, remarking that in their words and deeds they "must be sensitive" to the diversity of troops in his care, and to avoid proselytization apart from church services led on personal time. Any chaplain that does not adhere to that principle, he said, should be "admonished".
Questions have been raised by church-state experts including BJC Director Brent Walker about the church-state record of Rep. McHugh.
No Senator asked Rep. McHugh about his troubling voting record, nor pressed him on specific restrictions that should apply to military chaplains in their official capacity or any other controversies surrounding the improper use of religion by military officials apart from chaplains.
