Last-Ditch Move to Block 'Don't Ask' Repeal Fails

A final Republican attempt to block the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" has failed and President Obama will sign the repeal into law today. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell attempted to add an amendment to the defense bill that would have required all four military service chiefs to consent to the policy, Politico reports. The move, which could have delayed or even prevented the repeal, was blocked after Sen. Joe Lieberman objected.

The legislation as it stands requires the president, the secretary of defense and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff to support the policy, and all three have given their consent. McConnell's move was "about politics, not about policy,” a spokesman for Human Rights Campaign tells the New York Times. “It’s a total end run by the Republicans. In spite of the fact that they know that Gates and Mullens are opposed to this, they were still going forward in the hopes of obstructing repeal. It’s absolutely shameful." (More Mitch McConnell stories.)