Sen. Mark Kirk won't be attending a ceremony at the Interior Department where President Barack Obama is to sign a repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
The White House extended an invitation to Kirk to attend the White House signing, but Kirk's office said he has a scheduling conflict.
Kirk broke with his majority of Senate Republicans on Saturday to support repeal of the policy banning gays in the military. A spokeswoman, Kate Dickens, said it's unfortunate the senator can't attend.
She says Kirk's schedule couldn't be changed.