Gates Urges DADT Repeal Now

U.S. Defense secretary Robert Gates wants "don't ask, don't tell" repealed before new members of Congress take their seats, reports Associated Press.

Gates did not sound optimistic that the current Congress will be able to repeal the ban on gays serving openly in the military during the brief postelection session.

"I would like to see the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell,' but I'm not sure what the prospects for that are," Gates said from Australia, where he traveled to attend defense and diplomatic meetings.

President Obama promised to eliminate "don't ask, don't tell," but the current, Democratic-controlled Congress has not yet acted to lift the ban. Obama said during a postelection news conference there is time to repeal the ban in December or early January, following completion of the military's study of the effects of repeal on the front lines and at home.

In January, Republicans will take control of the House and have a larger number in the Senate, so supporters of repealing "don't ask, don't tell" predict doing so will be much more difficult. Gates also urged the Senate to ratify a stalled arms control treaty with Russia before the end of the current legislative session.