Gates Warns on DADT Repeal Failure

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urged Congress to act on repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" before the end of the year, warning that its failure to pass a bill would put the military at the "mercy of the courts."

According to The Wall Street Journal, Gates spoke aboard a U.S. military aircraft Friday, one day after the latest repeal attempt failed to advance in the Senate.

"There is still roughly a week left in the lame-duck session, so I would hope that the Congress would act,'" said Gates, who warned that a court-ordered action could force the military to take steps immediately without time for preparation.

"My concern is being faced with the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law being overturned with no time to prepare," he said, according to the Journal. "The way we get that time most assuredly is with the legislation that's before the Congress today."

Shortly after the stall of the repeal effort Thursday, repeal backers announced that they planned to bring a standalone bill to the floor before the session ends. It remained unclear whether they can move the bill in the limited time that remains.