Senate Republicans blocked legislation that would have repealed DADT and allowed gay troops to serve openly in the military. Democrats failed to reach a procedural deal with Republicans. With a 57-40 count, they fell three votes shy of the 60 needed to push the bill forward. This marks a clear setback for gay rights. But, leaders on Capitol Hill say they'll keep pushing for a repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.

"Senator Collins and I, Senator Udall and others will be, perhaps by the end of this day, introducing a free-standing bill — a separate piece of legislation — to repeal the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy," Sen. Joe Lieberman said today in a press conference. He said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was also on aboard.

"I informed Senator Reid during the vote... that we're going to do that, and he said, 'Same language as in Defense Authorization bill?' I said, 'yes.' He said, 'put me down as a co-sponsor.' I said, "Harry, we're going to ask you to bring this to a vote before the end of the lame duck session.' He said, 'I will bring it to the active calendar under Rule 14.'"

Rule 14 would allow the bill to come straight to the floor by skipping over the committee process. Can't wait to hear what Lady Gaga has to say about these developments...