The clock is running out for Senate Democrats to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell” this month. A combination of the shrinking legislative calendar, other White House priorities and testimony Friday from two service chiefs saying now is not the right time to repeal, means the controversial policy may continue to be the law of the land.
Any chance for passage now rests with the Obama administration, and how much it wants to push to lift the ban, especially given other concerns, such as the START nuclear arms reduction treaty. But advocates Friday were not enthusiastic. “I’m very concerned that the White House waited too long to move, Democrats have not pushed hard enough, and that the pressure to do tax cuts, unemployment and START mean this won't get done,” Richard Socarides, an attorney who consulted with the Clinton White House on gay rights issues, told POLITICO.
Friday, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) says the defense bill containing language allowing for repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" is dead for the year because there simply isn't enough time in the lame duck session, In an interview on the Hugh Hewitt radio program, Kyl said the pending defense authorization bill — which includes conditional repeal of the gays-in-the-military ban — will not pass. "There’s not going to be time to do it this year now before Christmas," Kyl said.
A Republican staffer echoed that concern. “The administration wants START,” the staffer told POLITICO.
