ISSUES: GOP Blocks Bill to Lift Don't Ask, Don't Tell!

(AP) – Senate Republicans have blocked an effort to repeal the law banning gays from serving openly in the military. Democrats fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance the legislation on Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The move likely will push consideration of the measure into next year, when prospects for approval in the new Congress are likely to be dim.

The 56-43 vote fell mostly along party lines, although Democrats Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor sided with Republicans. Harry Reid (Gaga is pissed!) also voted no as a parliamentary move, which allows him to revive the bill later. Democrats attached the repeal provision to the defense bill in the hopes that Republicans would hesitate to vote against legislation that included popular defense programs. But Republicans killed the bill anyway, thwarting a key part of the Democrats' legislative agenda.

If GOP takes over congress, don't expect this to come up again.