A Republican-led filibuster yesterday blocked efforts to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military, putting a stop to an Obama administration priority at least until after the November election. The measure repealing the military policy banning gays from serving openly was part of the 2011 Defense authorization bill. Democrats tried to bring the bill up for consideration but failed to get the 60 votes necessary to overcome determined GOP-led opposition. Supporters voted 56-43 in favor of starting debate on the Defense bill, short of the 60 needed. Democrats control 59 votes in the Senate. Supporters of repealing the don't ask, don't tell policy vowed to try again. "This ain't over," Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), who authored the repeal of the military policy on openly gay service members, said even before the vote. "It's long past time to repeal this policy." More than 13,500 service members have been discharged under the policy for being openly gay, experts say.
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