I would like to express my disappointment that the House leadership is pushing forward with a wasteful defense of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and to to urge the Obama administration to push forward the crucial legislation to repeal this hurtful and discriminatory law, the Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 1116 and S. 598) introduced by Rep. Jerrold Nadler and Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
The Defense of Marriage Act is denying tens of thousands of legally married lesbian and gay couples across the country more than 1,000 federal protections they deserve. These federal protections of marriage include Social Security survivors' benefits, family and medical leave, equal compensation as federal employees, and immigration rights, among others.
It's time to do away with DOMA once and for all.