“Don't Ask, Don't Tell” repeal

Time is running out for the Senate to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy as it faces new uncertainties. Strong objections remain from the Republican party and senior ranks of the military according to The New York Times.

Even though Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he wants to see the Senate vote on the repeal before the end of the year, the situation still seems dire.

Two main forces are working against repeal on Capitol Hill.

There is not much time left on the Congressional calendar as a lame-duck session begins next week. There will be very little time to vote once the session begins.

Senator John McCain of Arizona, the senior Republican on the Armed Services Committee poses the second challenge. Although Mr. McCain has said in the past that he would consider authorizing a repeal of the law once the Pentagon review was complete, he has continued to press against the repeal. He promised in his re-election campaign to keep the 17-year-old law intact.

The likelihood that Congress will not act to repeal the policy places further tensions between gay right groups and President Obama. The President promised to allow gay man and women to openly serve in the military. Obama made this promise during his campaign.