A group of 23 House Republicans, led by Rep. Duncan Hunter (pictured), who last month tried to impede repeal of the military's gay ban by adding several anti-gay amendments to a Defense appropriations bill, now want special review of "pending legislative matters of policy and law" related to the measure before it is certified.

The Washington Blade reports:

Others among the 23 signers of the letter are Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), chair of the House Armed Services personnel subcommittee, as well as Reps. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), W. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) and Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.).

Under the repeal law signed in December, “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” won't be off the books until the president, the defense secretary and the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify the U.S. military is ready for open service. Training has been underway in the armed forces since February to prepare the military for “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” repeal.

Pentagon officials have testified that certification for “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” repeal could happen in mid-summer. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said he's open to issuing certification this month before his retirement if the service chiefs thinks moving forward is appropriate.

Part of the repeal law states that open service shouldn't go forward until the Pentagon has “prepared the necessary policies and regulations” for open service. The GOP letter to Obama states Congress should have the opportunity to review the new regulations before the president and defense leaders give the OK for “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” repeal.

Basically, since the amendments to the Defense bill did not work in delaying the ban from being repealed (the Senate did not adopt similar amendments) they are trying to find other ways. Anything they can do to stop gays from serving openly.

Read the whole piece here.