Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters Friday that he was disappointed by the Senate’s inability to advance legislation that lays the groundwork for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and warned that failing to end the controversial law in Congress invites action from the courts.
“My greatest worry will be that we’re at the mercy of the courts and all the lack of predictability that that entails,” Gates said during his trip back from the Middle East.
On Thursday, Senate Democrats took the Defense Authorization bill, which includes provisions on the repeal, to the floor, but came three votes short of the 60 needed to sidestep a Republican filibuster.
Although he said that was less than optimistic that the Defense bill would advance on Thursday, Gates noted that he hoped the Senate would approve the repeal before the end of the lame duck session