White House Backs DOMA Repeal Bill

The White House announced on Tuesday, July 19, that President Barack Obama will support a bill that would overturn the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Press secretary Jay Carney made the announcement a day before the first Senate hearing on a bill that California Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced that would overturn the Clinton-era Defense of Marriage Act.

"I can tell you that 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," said Carney. "He is proud to support the Respect for Marriage Act, introduced by Senator Feinstein and Congressman Nadler."

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, who is among those who will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, July 20, in support of the Respect for Marriage Act, applauded the White House's announcement.

"We thank the president for his support of the Respect for Marriage Act," he said.

The Obama administration announced earlier this year that it would no longer defend DOMA in federal court.

"Freedom to Marry applauds President Obama's strong endorsement of the Respect for Marriage Act and the repeal of so-called 'DOMA,'" said Freedom to Marry President Evan Wolfson. "The federal government should not be picking and choosing which marriages it will honor and which it will disregard when it comes to the important federal protections that come with marriage, such as Social Security, health coverage, fair tax treatment, and immigration rights."

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, who voted against DOMA in 1996, also praised the Obama administration. "Today's announcement from the White House is a historic signal that momentum is growing to end the era of DOMA," he said. "Last year we finally repealed 'don't ask, don't tell,' ending an era that one day will seem as antiquated as the days before President Truman desegregated the military. When we pass the Respect for Marriage Act, so too will the era of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act seem anachronistic in a country where we don't believe there should be any second class citizens."

New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler, who introduced the measure in the House, also welcomed the administration's announcement.

"The president's unprecedented decision to support this timely legislation sends a powerful message to members of Congress and to the American people that now is the moment to dispense with DOMA and remove this ugly blight from our legal code," said Nadler.