Republicans effectively ended the Democrats' last chance to overturn the military's ban on gay troops Thursday in a procedural vote that likely puts the issue beyond Congress' reach for the foreseeable future.
The 57-40 tally left Democrats three votes shy of the 60 needed to overcome a filibuster and begin debate on the defense policy bill. Instead, the Senate won't pass a defense bill for the first time in decades -- which Democrats said jeopardizes troops' pay raises, as well as leaving the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in place.
Democrats were racing to act before the end of the year, when the GOP -- which is generally opposed to overturning the policy -- takes control of the House and ends the chances for action.
The vote was along party lines except for two switchers moderate Sen. Susan Collins, Maine Republican, who supported the measure, and Sen. Joe Manchin III, West Virginia Democrat, who voted no.
President Obama said he was "extremely disappointed" with the Senate's action and urged senators to revisit the issue before its late year "lame duck" session ends
"As commander in chief, I have pledged to repeal this discriminatory law, " the president said. "A great majority of the American people agree. This law weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness and violates fundamental American principles of fairness, integrity and equality. 
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