President Barack Obama is praising the House for passing legislation to end the Pentagon policy that bans gays from serving openly in the military.
The legislation awaits Senate action now.
The House passed the measure 250-175. Obama says the legislation permits a smooth transition from the Clinton-era ‘don’t-ask-don’t-tell’ standard.
Obama says the legislation will give the military “the clarity and certainty it deserves.”
The measure faces an uphill fight in the Senate where key Republicans such as Sen. John McCain of Arizona have raised emphatic objection to ending the policy.
Obama has long advocated for the change. But it has been caught in a year-end swirl of legislation. Obama has given top priority to a tax package and ratification of a new nuclear arms deal with Russia.
