The Advocate has confirmed that Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan said Wednesday during a briefing on Afghanistan that he is working to schedule hearings on "don't ask, don't tell" in the Senate Armed Services Committee later this month.

A spokesperson in his office said that Levin, who chairs the committee, was working to line up Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs chair Adm. Mike Mullen as witnesses at the hearings.

Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the pro-repeal lobby group Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, welcomed the news.

"Chairman Carl Levin’s statement is another positive step and indication Congress recognizes the time for action has come," Sarvis said. "The chairman appreciates the sense of urgency around the government continuing to fire qualified patriots."