McConnell Tries, Fails to Block DADT Repeal

Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell failed in a desperate last-minute attempt to block "don't ask, don't tell" repeal Tuesday night.

Politico reports that Sen. Joe Lieberman blocked the Republican's move to get unanimous consent for the proposal.

"McConnell attempted to add an amendment to the so-called stripped-down defense authorization bill that would have required the consent of the military service chiefs to proceed with 'don't ask' repeal," reports Politico. "Under legislation passed by the Senate last week, certifications are required from the president, the secretary of defense and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. All the incumbents in those positions support repeal."

In contrast, the military service chiefs, whose consent would have been required under the McConnell amendment, each have expressed some degree of reservation about repeal. Sen. John McCain and other GOP senators had been calling for the amendment.