Dems Take On DOMA

The Senate Judiciary Committee held the first hearing for the Respect for Marriage Act this morning, which would repeal the controversial Defense of Marriage Act that was signed into law in 1996.

The hearing comes one day after the Obama administration announced it’s support for the repealing of DOMA.

Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga), testifying at the hearing, expressed his frustration that there is even debate over repealing DOMA.

“Every person, man or woman, gay or straight, is entitled to the same rights,” said Lewis.

LGBT couples also testified about the hardships they face under DOMA, such as being forced to file separate federal income tax claims that force them to pay higher taxes. 

But not everyone was sympathetic to the prospects of a repeal. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), the lone republican member of the committee to speak, argued “marriage is an institution that serves the same public purpose all over the world, to foster unions that can result in procreation.”

He added that the hardships faced by same sex couples are not unique to them, and have other solutions that don’t involve the repealing of DOMA.

Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is the chief sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act. 27 other Senators have signed on.