Washington ( CNN ) -- Four key GOP senators who have announced their support for a `` do n't ask , do n't tell '' repeal are prepared to join Democrats in voting to let the bill proceed , aides to the four said Friday . The aides said Susan Collins , Olympia Snowe , Lisa Murkowski and Scott Brown will vote Saturday to end debate on the ban on openly gay and lesbian people in the military , regardless of whether the Senate passes a stopgap spending bill , a continuing resolution to keep the government funded . The four have previously said that bill must be approved first . The Senate is currently working to craft a temporary spending bill , made necessary after Democratic leadership pulled a $ 1 trillion spending bill after Republicans abandoned their support of it . The four senators ' support for the `` do n't ask , do n't tell '' repeal would ensure the 60 votes needed to clear the way for the bill to advance even if Joe Manchin , a West Virginia Democrat , votes against it , as is expected . Sen. Joseph Lieberman , who co-sponsored legislation that would repeal the policy , said Friday that the four senators have `` shown courage '' in supporting the measure . Lieberman said he believes that the Senate will have more than the 60 votes needed , adding that the bill 's co-sponsors had worked closely with the Defense Department in crafting its language . But Pentagon officials are warning gay and lesbian soldiers that the current law will temporarily remain in place , if the bill passes , as they review the legal technicalities of the repeal . A guidance memo would be sent to military personnel informing them of the change , which would remain in effect for at least 60 days after it is signed into law , Pentagon spokesman Col. David Lapan said . Conservative Republicans have argued that , among other things , a repeal would place an unreasonable burden on the military at a time when it is facing severe strains in Afghanistan and elsewhere . The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to overturn the ban in a `` standalone '' measure not tied to any other legislative items . It passed 250-175 on mostly partisan lines . The House had passed a repeal of the ban as part of a larger defense policy bill , but the measure stalled last week in the Senate . Obama and Democratic leaders are trying to push through a repeal before the end of the current lame-duck congressional session . The more conservative incoming Congress , which will be seated the first week of January , is considered far less likely to overturn the Clinton-era ban . CNN 's Barbara Starr contributed to this report .
NEW : Senators withdraw their requirement that spending bill pass first . Current law will remain for at least 60 days if bill passes . The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to overturn the ban .