Marriage wars in a different arena
Several members of Congress -- including California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein -- have introduced legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. The Obama administration made news recently when it said it wouldn't defend DOMA, as it's known, against court challenges. (The law defines marriage for federal purposes as the union of one man and one woman and says that states are not obliged to recognize same-sex marriages from other states.)
But lawsuits over DOMA would be moot if Congress enacted the Respect for Marriage Act (a clever title). And we'd all be spared whining by conservatives about "unelected judges" deciding social policy.
Winning enactment of the Respect for Marriage Act might seem a quixotic effort, but the same could be said a few years ago about the repeal by Congress of "don't ask, don't tell." I wouldn't rule out judicial action on this subject, but it's encouraging that activists are pressing their case with the legislative branch of government.
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--Michael McGough
Does this have anything to do with the executive branch of government? It's not fair to President Obama, and here's why. IMO it teeters on the border separating church and state. The House Speaker is leading the conservatives, pushing Obama to support the Defense of Marriage Act. Boehner should know better. This is special interest on both sides of the issue, and the president's plate is overflowing as it is. Liberals on the other hand are signing petitions urging Obama to support same-sex union; it's a no-win situation for Obama, and too much aggressive pushing by officials and voters with the president the center of this tug-of-war will distract him from his job. Is this really part of his job? Let the individual states decide on the matter, and relieve the president of this concern. We're a nation run by The People; let's help the prez out of this.
Posted by: AimeeX | March 16, 2011 at 04:41 PM
The timing is perfect since two courts, the President and the AG has determined that Section 3 of the DOMA is unconstitutional.
Posted by: Warren | March 16, 2011 at 06:12 PM
I think DOMA is bad law and should be repealed. That being said I do not believe that the Executive branch should be allowed to pick and choose which laws it will enforce. If DOMA is bad than the legislature needs to repeal it or the Supreme Court needs to strike it down.
The Presidents job is to enforce laws! (If I may suggest...start with the Immigration ones)
Posted by: DavidinLA | March 16, 2011 at 07:18 PM
The President is enforcing the LAW. The highest law of the land, the US Constitution.
Posted by: Warren | March 17, 2011 at 06:19 AM
All must be equal or none can be free.
http://kinggabriel.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/perfect-love/
Posted by: Kinggabriel | March 18, 2011 at 03:56 AM