Brown says no to repeal of ‘don’t ask’

Republican Senator Scott Brown said yesterday that he would vote against repeal of the law that bars gays from serving openly in the military, dealing a setback for efforts for gay rights advocates and Democrats to pass the "do not ask, do not tell''law year .

Brown's long-awaited decision - after meetings in recent days with gay rights groups and military leaders and service members - came after President Obama and Democratic leaders agreed Monday night that the repeal of the law, if adopted, will not go into effect until Pentagon completes a review on December 1. This agreement was made to help mitigate the concerns of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates of the date of termination.

But Brown said he believes a vote on lifting should be postponed any longer - before the Pentagon formulates a plan to implement open gays service.

A key vote on repealing the "do not ask, do not fortælle''lov expected tomorrow in the influential Senate Armed Services Committee, which Brown is a member. Even when he announced that he would throw his committee voted against repeal, Brown held open the possibility of that at a later date, he can support it.

"I love me an open mind, but I does not come before I am able to complete my review, complete the Pentagon's investigation, and we can be confident that a new policy can be implemented without the engagement of our military, ' 'the Massachusetts senator said.

From the 1993 "do not ask, do not allow gays fortælle''lov To serve if they keep their sexual preference secret.

Brown's decision comes as he works to establish its position on several key issues - and senators and even some of his supporters are trying to find out what kind of Republican, he will be. Brown last week was criticized by former supporters, who were terrified he got Democrats to promote President Obama's plan to revise the financial system.

The Obama administration, and leading Democrats were cautiously optimistic yesterday that they have enough votes for passage of the repeal, without Brown's voice, even if all the Democrats on the committee does not support it. Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, said she would support the repeal of the committee.

The repeal is scheduled to be added to the pending defense spending bill in the Senate, and another change is expected to be brought to a full vote in parliament tomorrow.

House leaders say they have enough support for passage in his chamber, but the repeal fate is uncertain in the full Senate, where Brown's attitude to it may prove decisive. However, since the change is part of the defense bill, it may be politically risky for the Republicans to block it through a filibuster