美国废除"不问不说"政策

A landmark vote on Capitol Hill today appears to signal a new era in gay rights in this country while abolishing long-held military tradition and policy. The Senate late today voted to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy against gays serving openly in the military, meaning,for the first time, gays would be able to acknowledge their orientation without fear of being kicked out of the service. The bill now goes to the desk of President Obama, who earlier today expressed his eagerness to fulfill a campaign pledge to overturn the 17-year-old ban. We have correspondents covering the vote and reaction, and we start on Capitol Hill with NBC’s Kelly O'Donnell. Kelly?

Good evening, Lester. This repeal was presumed dead so many times, even last week it seemed undoable. But today, everything changed. There was drama, surprise, and a sense of history on all sides.

A day of change that began with deep convictions.

If you care about national security, if you care about our military readiness, then you will repeal this corrosive policy.

Does anybody look at those graves and say move this one, because we just found out that soldier died in battle was gay?

And strong feelings among Republicans.

The Army, the Air Force, particularly the Marine Corps have cautioned us not to do this now this way.

John McCain led opposition to ending the ban, saying that it would be a dangerous distraction during two wars.

And there’ll be high fives all over the liberal bastions of America, and we'll see the talk shows tomorrow, bunch of people talking about how great it is. Most of them never have served in the military.

The 17-year-old policy known as Don't Ask, Don't Tell forbids gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military. About 14,000 men and women have been expelled.

No one should be turned away because of who they are.

With momentum to change the law fueled by public opinion and support from top military brass, the political will shifted. After many past failed votes, today, one final shot.

The yeas are 65, the nays 31.

For supporters, relief, victory and a surprise. Eight Republicans,more than expected ,joined Democrats to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Maine Republican Susan Collins led the fight for repeal and won more GOP support.

Seventeen years ago it was a Democratic President who signed into law Don't Ask, Don't Tell, so I think our society is changing.

A thrilled Senator Joe Lieberman called it the best day in his Senate career.

We're still able to come together in a bipartisan way to right a wrong and do something that's in the best interests of our country.

And there is still one more step that could take several months for this to really be done. This law today says that the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs must certify that the military has taken all the steps internally to be ready to implement this change. Lester?

Kelly O'Donnell, thanks.