The Army and Marines' top uniformed officers say that letting gays serve openly in the military at a time of war would be divisive and difficult, sharply challenging a new Pentagon study that calculates the risk as low.
Marine Commandant James Amos and Army Chief of Staff George Casey are to voice that assessment Friday at a Senate hearing. The two officers likely will give political ammunition to Arizona Sen. John McCain and other Republicans fighting to keep Congress from repealing the 1993 law that prohibits gays in uniform from acknowledging their sexual orientation.
President Barack Obama has called on Congress to overturn the ban, and Democrats have promised a repeal vote this month, although its chances of passing this year are considered dim.
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