Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Federal Appeals Court Ruling On The Defense Of Marriage Act
October 18, 2012
[Senator Leahy is a leading cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). He chaired the first-ever congressional hearing examining the effects of DOMA on American families. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he led the panel’s consideration of the legislation. The Committee approved the bill in November 2011.]
“This latest court decision by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals echoes testimony heard during an historic hearing before the Judiciary Committee last year: DOMA has damaging effects on the lives of thousands of American families, who are denied the same federal protections as millions of other Americans. I expect in the coming months, the Supreme Court will take up this issue, and I hope they will agree with all of these lower courts that the law is unconstitutional.
“Vermonters know well that marriage equality in our society is a matter of fairness, and all couples deserve equal treatment under the law. That is why I praise the court’s decision and support repealing DOMA.”
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