Rep. Alcee Hastings withdrew a defense spending bill amendment that would have forbidden the use of funds to carry out gay military discharges under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy (thus effectively halting them) "under pressure from the White House and colleagues," according to the Miami Herald.
Said Hastings: 
"Due to pressure from some of my congressional colleagues and fromthe White House, I have withdrawn my amendment. I would,however, like to note that it is most unfortunate that we are notaddressing `don't ask, don't tell' at this time. I realize that this issue is considered controversial, but it shouldn't be. The vast majority of Americans not onlysupport the inclusion of gay service members in the military, but alsothe repeal of `don't ask, don't tell.'''
He added: "What is the holdup, then? Last month, 76 of my colleaguesand I sent a letter to President Obama urging him to take leadership onthis issue and to work together with Congress to repeal this law. Morethan a month later, I have yet to receive an official response."
Rachel Maddow wonders the same thing, AFTER THE JUMP…
