Washington (CNN) -- The Senate voted 65-31 on Saturday to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law, which bans openly gay people from serving in the armed forces. The measure now goes to President Obama to sign. The House of Representatives passed the measure 250-175 on Wednesday. Obama and the Pentagon must certify that repealing the 1993 law will not adversely affect the armed services. Obama earlier Saturday called an earlier procedural vote advancing the repeal toward a final vote a "historic step toward ending the controversial policy." "It is time to close this chapter in our history," Obama said.
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NEW: Senate passes 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal, 65-31
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Six Republicans vote with Democrats to advance repeal toward final vote
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Dream Act gets 55 of the 60 votes needed to proceed
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The lame-duck Congress is working ahead of the holiday break
Obama said Saturday that the failure of the Senate to move the @placeholder forward was "incredibly disappointing."