Sen. John McCain is bristling at the Pentagon's decision to launch a yearlong study into allowing gays to serve openly in uniform, saying he is "deeply disappointed" and calling the assessment "clearly biased" because it presumes the law should be changed.
McCain, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, said the current policy is not ideal, but that it has been effective.
His remarks were in direct contrast to Adm. Mike Mullen, who said it was his personal opinion that lifting the ban was "the right thing to do." Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggested that lawmakers should stand down from the process until the military can get a better handle on how to proceed. He told the panel: "Keep the impact it will have on our forces firmly in mind."
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