America's Leading Gay News Source

political news

Senate to hear testimony on DOMA ‘in the next few weeks’

July 7, 2011 | icon-comment 8 Comments
By on July 7, 2011

Sen. Patrick Leahy plans to hold a hearing on DOMA (Blade file photo by Michael Key). A Senate committee is set in the next few weeks to hear testimony on repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, although details about the planned hearing were scant as of Thursday.

A Senate committee is set in the next few weeks to hear testimony on repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, although details about the planned hearing were scant as of Thursday.

According to a Senate Democratic aide, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, intends to hold a hearing on DOMA repeal “in the next few weeks.” A more definitive date for when the hearing would take place or the individuals who would be invited as witnesses weren’t immediate known.

In a statement, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) praised Leahy for his decision to hold a hearing on DOMA repeal. Both Gillibrand and Leahy are sponsors of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal DOMA.

“Marriage is the true foundation for strong families,” she said. “Every loving, committed couple deserves the basic human right to get married, start a family, and have access to all the same rights and privileges that my husband and I enjoy. No politician should stand in the way of this fact.”

She continued, “If Democrats and Republicans can come together to do what’s right in New York, I know we can do the same in Congress to do what’s right for all of America. Now is the time to act on the federal level.”

The testimony would which would be the first-ever hearing against DOMA in Congress.

NOTE: This post has been updated.

Related Stories
Filed under political news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.

Tagged with Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, Patrick Leahy, Senate Judiciary Committee

We welcome your thoughtful, respectful comments. Please read our 'Terms of Service' page for more information about community expectations.

Comments from new visitors, flagged users, or those containing questionable language are automatically held for moderation and may not appear immediately.

Comments
  • Alex July 8, 2011 at 11:20 am

    YES!! Finally there is some backbone. Do not let these political, out of date, out of touch individuals dictate what is a basic right we should be given as citizens of this great country. I am just amazed that these individuals as so small minded. We should take away their right to divorce and see how they react. They say gay marriage would ruin the basic foundation of the family. Well, I have a few choice words for that, but I am a courteous, respectful person that would never stoop so low. Just remember one day you are going to have children, grandchildren, a brother, sister, a friend and so on that is going to want marriage with their life partner and then what are you going to say? Especially, if they are dear to your heart as any of the above mentioned would be in your life. It is time to take your heads out of the sand and join the 21st Century and realize that we are all created equally and not just what you consider is equality.

    Link
  • Alyson Wagner July 10, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    http://www.change.org/petitions/repeal-doma-now-support-the-respect-for-marriage-act#signatures

    Join me in telling our lawmakers that enough is enough. The time to repeal DOMA is now. The volume of our voices has been underestimated for far too long. We are not second class citizens!

    Link
  • Little man April 19, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Having a hearing is good, so the real arguments are put forth in committee, and so it becomes a done deal. But look at the bad logic in the following quote in this article:
    ‘Marriage is the true foundation for strong families,’ she said. ‘Every loving, committed couple deserves the basic human right to get married, start a family, and have access to all the same rights and privileges that my husband and I enjoy…’
    Yes, then can get married, already (to an adult of the opposite sex). First, it talks about a basic human right. But then it goes on to legislate access to that same right. We all already enjoy equal rights under the law. Then, the first comment brings out the topic of divorce. If so many people divorce, how is it that ‘marriage’ is the true foundation of strong families.. It obviously isn’t, is it?

    Link
  • Little man April 19, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    Having a hearing is good, so the real arguments are put forth in committee, and so it becomes a done deal. But look at the bad logic in the following quote in this article:
    ‘Marriage is the true foundation for strong families,’ she said. ‘Every loving, committed couple deserves the basic human right to get married, start a family, and have access to all the same rights and privileges that my husband and I enjoy…’ Yes, then can get married, already (to an adult of the opposite sex). First, it talks about a basic human right. But then it goes on to legislate access to that same right. We all already enjoy equal rights under the law. Then, the first comment brings out the topic of divorce. If so many people divorce, how is it that ‘marriage’ is the true foundation of strong families.. It obviously isn’t, is it?

    Link
  • Little man April 19, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    Having a hearing is good, so the real arguments are put forth in committee, and so it becomes a done deal. But look at the bad logic in the following quote in this article:
    -Marriage is the true foundation for strong families,- she said. -Every loving, committed couple deserves the basic human right to get married, start a family, and have access to all the same rights and privileges that my husband and I enjoy…- Yes, then can get married, already (to an adult of the opposite sex). First, it talks about a basic human right. But then it goes on to legislate access to that same right. We all already enjoy equal rights under the law. Then, the first comment brings out the topic of divorce. If so many people divorce, how is it that -marriage- is the true foundation of strong families.. It obviously isn’t, is it?

    Link
  • Little man April 19, 2012 at 5:21 pm

    Having a hearing is good, so the real arguments are put forth in committee, and so it becomes a done deal. But look at the bad logic in the following quote in this article:
    -Marriage is the true foundation for strong families,- she said. -Every loving, committed couple deserves the basic human right to get married, start a family, and have access to all the same rights and privileges that my husband and I enjoy…- Yes, they can get married, already (to an adult of the opposite sex) – that’s why marriage became regulated in the first place. First, it talks about a basic human right. But then it goes on to legislate access to that same right. Which is it? A basic human right or a given right? We all already enjoy equal rights under the law. Then, the first comment brings out the topic of divorce. If so many people divorce, how is it that -marriage- is the true foundation of strong families.. It obviously isn’t, is it?

    Link
  • Little man April 19, 2012 at 5:22 pm

    Yes, they (individuals) can get married, already (to an adult of the opposite sex) – that’s why marriage became regulated in the first place. First, it talks about a basic human right. But then it goes on to legislate access to that same right. Which is it? A basic human right or a given right? We all already enjoy equal rights under the law. Then, the first comment brings out the topic of divorce. If so many people divorce, how is it that -marriage- is the true foundation of strong families.. It obviously isn’t, is it?

    Link
  • Little man April 19, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    Yes, they (individuals) can get married, already (to an adult of the opposite sex)

    Link
Directory powered by Business Directory Plugin