SENATE BACKS ENDING GAY BAN

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, February 5, 1993                   TAG: 9302050149
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium
SENATE BACKS ENDING GAY BAN
The Senate on Thursday rejected a Republican attempt to thwart President Clinton's efforts to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military.
By a 62-37 vote, the Senate turned aside a GOP-sponsored measure that would have restored the 50-year-old ban on gays as it existed before Clinton announced his compromise with Democratic congressional leaders last week.
Virginia's senators split on party lines, with John Warner voting to restore the ban and Charles Robb voting to back the president.
Instead, the Senate adopted a nonbinding resolution that leaves intact the changes Clinton implemented, including temporary suspension of the formal discharge of homosexuals from the military.
Clinton also ordered that recruiters stop asking applicants about their sexual orientation.
The president, who promised during the campaign to lift the ban, was forced to retreat during the first week of his presidency in the face of widespread Democratic and Republican opposition.
Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas had predicted defeat Thursday, but vowed Republicans eventually would prevail on the divisive issue. "I happen to believe that mainstream America recognizes bad policy when they see it," he said.
Clinton plans an executive order lifting the ban by July 15.
Seven Republicans joined Democrats in rejecting the GOP measure: John Chafee of Rhode Island, Alfonse D'Amato of New York, Mark Hatfield and Bob Packwood of Oregon, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, Dave Durenberger of Minnesota and James Jeffords of Vermont. Democrats Howell Heflin and Richard Shelby of Alabama voted with the Republicans.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB