'Don't Ask Don't Tell' Repealed by House, Again

The U.S. House of Representatives today voted 250 to 175 (almost straight down party lines) to repeal the ban on openly gay and lesbian soldiers in the U.S. military. This is the second time a repeal has been approved by the House. Previously it was repealed in connection with a defense spending bill, which stalled in the Senate a week ago.

Republicans voting against the bill argued it would put too great a burden on the military. And also, via CNN, that "The United States military is not the YMCA. It's something special," said Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-California, who added, [this is] "a liberal crusade to create a utopia."

Two Republicans will need to join Democratic senators in approving the repeal for it to pass. While several Republicans have expressed support, they want more time to debate -- yet pushing the repeal through becomes less likely once the more conservative incoming Congress is seated the first week of January. The L.A. Times reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has "promised to bring the House bill to the Senate floor, suggesting he may keep lawmakers in session through the weekend and beyond."

[JDoll]