Senate delays vote on ban on gays in military

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Democrats have put off for now a vote
on legislation that would repeal the military's ban on openly gay
troops so that more time can be spent to try to strike a deal with
Republicans.

A test vote on lifting the "don't ask, don't tell" policy had
been scheduled for late Wednesday.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said earlier in the day that
he had a plan to win the support of Republican Sen. Susan Collins
of Maine and other GOP senators who back repealing the law but have
objected to the debate on procedural grounds.

But the vote appeared headed for failure after Collins refused
to sign on. Spokesmen for Reid and Collins say that the senators
are still discussing the matter.