Senate blocks repeal of gay ban

WASHINGTON – Senate Republicans blocked a major year-end push by Democrats to lift the military’s ban on openly gay troops on Thursday, dealing a huge blow to gay rights groups’ hopes for repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” any time soon. President Barack Obama instantly appealed to lawmakers to make another, last-ditch try before going home for the year.

The day’s dramatic events left the fate of the issue in limbo, with lawmakers eager to adjourn and still facing numerous other contentious issues.

The Senate’s 57-40 vote fell three short of the 60 needed to overcome procedural hurdles to lift the 17-year-old ban. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was the lone Republican voting to advance the bill, and Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia was the only Democrat to vote against it.

The rejection was a defeat for Obama, who campaigned promising to overturn the law and later called it one of his top legislative priorities for the year. But in recent weeks the White House has done little to push the legislation.

Obama wasn’t giving up. He said the ban “weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness and violates fundamental American principles of fairness, integrity and equality.” And he said repeal is supported by the military and the American people.

“I urge the Senate to revisit these important issues during the lame-duck session,” he said.

The 1993 law bans gay troops from publicly acknowledging their sexual orientation. A repeal provision was included in a broader defense policy bill and passed last spring in the House.

More than 60 senators were expected to support repeal of the ban, including at least four Republicans. But GOP senators were united in demanding that the chamber vote on tax cuts first. They also wanted assurances by Reid they would be given extensive time to debate the defense bill.

Two senators, Republican Collins and independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, said they now would introduce a stand-alone measure to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Its prospects are uncertain, though Reid indicated he was open to bringing it up before adjournment. If passed, it still would require House approval with time growing short.

Democrats had said Thursday morning they remained hopeful a last-minute deal could be struck with Collins, believing her support would persuade other GOP senators – namely Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski – to advance the legislation.

In the end, however, Reid said time was running out and called for a vote before a deal could be struck.

Manchin said he voted against the bill because repeal shouldn’t happen while troops are fighting in Afghanistan.