By BTL staff
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has introduced the Respect for Marriage Act.
President Obama announced yesterday he supports the Respect for Marriage Act. The act, introduced by Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein from California, would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
The law, known as DOMA, also allows states to not recognize marriages performed in other states or countries where same-sex marriage is legal. For example: the state of Michigan will not recognize a same-sex marriage performed in New York.
"The president has long called for a legislative repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which continues to have a real impact on the lives of real people — our families, friends and neighbors," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said yesterday. "He is proud to support the Respect for Marriage Act."
President Obama has said that he supports civil unions, not same-sex marriage, but that his views are "evolving."
The Senate will hold a hearing about the bill today. The Los Angeles times predicts that "the bill faces long odds. With 27 co-sponsors, Feinstein has just fewer than half the votes for a filibuster-proof majority. And in the Republican-controlled House, Speaker John A. Boehner has taken on the responsibility of defending the act in court since the administration bowed out."
The bill's co-sponsors include: Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.; John Kerry, D-Mass.' Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.; Chris Coons, D-Del.; Ron Wyden , D-Ore.; Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J.; Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.; Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Al Franken, D-Minn.; Patty Murray, D-Wash.; Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.; Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.; Mark Udall, D-Colo.; Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; Dan Inouye, D-Hawaii; and Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii.
