Top military leaders say they are worried that Congress may not vote to repeal the ban on gays in the military, better known as the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.

The Washington Post reports that military leaders are worried because it may lead to an intervention by federal courts. Court intervention could allow gay men and lesbians to immediately begin serving openly without giving the military any time to prepare. Two recent federal court rulings forced the Pentagon to shift course on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell twice within eight days.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned members of the Senate Armed Services Committee about his concerns. But the Washington Post quotes senior Democratic Senate aides saying that a vote this year to end the ban is growing highly unlikely. The main reason: The ban is part of a massive defense policy bill that’s going to require weeks of debate.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily DoD Report. For more defense news, click here.

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