Frank: Ban on gays to face repeal in 2010

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Repealing a ban on homosexuals serving openly in the U.S. military is to be included in the next Defense Department authorization bill, a lawmaker said.

Repealing the so-called "don't ask, don't tell" policy is planned as part of next year's authorization bill in both the House and the Senate, Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., told Politico in a story published Wednesday.

"Military issues are always done as part of the overall authorization bill," Frank said. "'Don't ask, don't tell' was always going to be part of the military authorization."

The White House and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., are committed to ending the 1993 ban, despite concern by some moderate Democrats about repealing the policy during a midterm election year, Frank said.

"The administration is totally committed to this and has been from the beginning," said Frank, who is gay.