US Senate blocks debate on gay military

Just 56 senators voted in favour of debating the defence authorisation bill, four short of the 60 required.

Gay people can serve in the military, but face expulsion if they reveal their sexuality. US President Barack Obama has promised to scrap the policy.

Democrats could still try again later this year to pass the legislation.
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Reacting to the vote - which split largely along Republican-Democrat party lines - White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: \"We\'re disappointed at not being able to proceed on the legislation, but we\'ll keep trying.\"