The Senate Armed Services Committee has voted tonight to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy barring openly gay and lesbian soldiers from serving in the military. The measure — which passed by a 16–12 count — still needs to pass a vote in the House (which will take place Thursday evening or Friday). No changes will take place until a Pentagon study about the impact the new policy would have on the troops is completed, which likely won’t be until December 1. [WP]
Update: The House voted late Thursday night to let the Defense Department repeal the policy by a vote of 234–194. It was adopted as an amendment to the annual Pentagon policy bill, on which the House will likely vote Friday.
