The Hill News

Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) was quick to call Saturday's vote to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" historic.

“It is always a great day in America when discrimination comes to an end. The repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is an important step in America’s march toward justice,” he said in a statement.

“With the leadership of President Obama and a strong bipartisan vote in the Senate, our country has moved past the prejudic! es of the past and toward a day when all American’s can sever the country with honesty and pride.”

The Senate sent the repeal of the ban on gays and lesbians serving open in the military to President Obama for signature in a 65-31 vote.