The Hill-Senate Says No To "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

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(Story reported by Roxana Tiron for The Hill)

The Senate on Tuesday dealt a significant blow to the Obama administration’s efforts to repeal the ban on openly gay people serving in the military.

In a 56-43 vote, Senate Democratic leaders fell short of the 60 votes they needed to proceed to the 2011 defense authorization bill, which included language to repeal the Clinton-era “Don’t ask, don’t tell” law.

All Senate Republicans and three Democrats voted to block debate on the bill after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he would attach several leadership priorities, including an immigration-related provision, to the defense bill. Reid also attempted to limit the amendments offered by the GOP.

(Click here to read the full story on The Hill website.)