In a statement issued yesterday, Florida Congressman Alcee L. Hastings said he is withdrawing his amendment to H.R. 3326, The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010. From the statement:

I introduced an amendment to H.R. 3326, now withdrawn, prohibiting the use of funds in this bill to investigate or discharge our dedicated service men and women on the grounds of 'telling' their sexual orientation. The Policy Concerning Homosexuality in the Armed Forces - commonly called 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' - provides that a service member can be separated from the Armed Forces for stating that he or she is a homosexual or bisexual. Due to pressure from some of my Congressional colleagues and from the White House, I have withdrawn my amendment.