Locals sign on to full DOMA repeal

Legislation was re-introduced this week to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act in its entirety.

The Respect for Marriage Act was submitted Tuesday in both chambers of Congress. Congressmembers Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) are leading the bill in the House, while Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is the prime sponsor in the Senate.

The House version has 77 cosponsors, including Pennsylvania Congressmembers Matthew Cartwright (D-17th Dist.) and Mike Doyle (D-14th Dist.). The Senate bill has 41 cosponsors, including Pennsylvania Sen. Robert Casey.

In June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a case filed by Philadelphia native Edie Windsor, found Section 3 of DOMA — which defined marriage as between one man and one woman — unconstitutional. The ruling paved the way for many federal marriage rights to be extended to legally married same-sex couples; however, those who live in states without marriage equality have continued to face barriers. For instance, Social Security and veterans benefits continue to be denied to legally married same-sex couples who live in states that do not sanction same-sex marriage.

The legislation was originally introduced in 2009 and the latest version was revised to take into account the SCOTUS ruling; it would add specific language guaranteeing full federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples, regardless of their state of residence.

“The bill provides a uniform rule for recognizing couples under federal law, ensuring that lawfully married couples will be recognized under federal law no matter where they live and guaranteeing that all families can plan for a future of mutual obligation and support with confidence,” Nadler said, noting that the legislation seeks to “finish the job” begun by SCOTUS. “The vast majority of Americans live in states where same-sex couples can marry and public support for marriage equality is growing stronger by the day. Repeal of DOMA is long overdue.”

“From Social Security benefits to veterans benefits, DOMA continues to harm families across the country,” said Human Rights Campaign’s government-affairs director David Stacy. “Every legally married couple — no matter where they live — should have access to the full federal benefits and protections they deserve. It’s far past time for DOMA to be completely repealed once and for all. We applaud Sen. Feinstein and Reps. Nadler and Ros-Lehtinen for their tireless commitment to fully repealing this discriminatory and antiquated statute.”

Feinstein added that, while the marriage-equality movement has seen impressive strides in the last few years, full federal equality is impossible without the repeal of DOMA.

“Only when this bill is passed will we be able to guarantee the federal rights, benefits and responsibilities of marriage for all loving couples,” Feinstein said. “I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.” 

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