House lawmakers to re-introduce 'Respect for Marriage Act' Wednesday
Tue. March 15, 2011 10:29 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
Washington, D.C. -
On Wednesday, some congressional democrats will once again introduce the "Respect for Marriage Act," which would repeal the "Defense of Marriage Act," the 1996 law that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, will be joined by Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jared Polis (D-CO), David Cicilline (D-RI), and John Conyers (D-MI) in a press conference on Capitol Hill Wednesday.
"It has been 15 years since Congress enacted DOMA, and the myths and stereotypes used to support its enactment have been shattered," the representatives said in a statement. "Married gay and lesbian couples pay taxes, serve their communities, struggle to balance work and family, raise children and care for aging parents."
The representatives point out that last month, the Obama Administration concluded that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and instructed Department of Justice lawyers to stop trying to defend it in court.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, will be joined by Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jared Polis (D-CO), David Cicilline (D-RI), and John Conyers (D-MI) in a press conference on Capitol Hill Wednesday.
"It has been 15 years since Congress enacted DOMA, and the myths and stereotypes used to support its enactment have been shattered," the representatives said in a statement. "Married gay and lesbian couples pay taxes, serve their communities, struggle to balance work and family, raise children and care for aging parents."
The representatives point out that last month, the Obama Administration concluded that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and instructed Department of Justice lawyers to stop trying to defend it in court.