WASHINGTON (AP) — A leading Republican senator on Sunday played down the chances that a repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in the military will pass during the lame-duck session of Congress.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, said he doesn’t see the votes in the Senate to change the policy.
The Pentagon plans to release a survey on Tuesday that’s expected to show that a majority of troops don’t care if gays are allowed to serve openly in the armed services.
The study is expected to set the stage for a Senate showdown between advocates of repealing the 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” law and a small but powerful group of foes.
The House has passed repeal legislation.
Mr. Graham told “Fox News Sunday” that he doesn’t think the repeal “is going anywhere” in the postelection Congress.
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