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.
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