GOP Spends More on DOMA
Marc Solomon (courtesy of Freedom to Marry)
As the GOP candidates talk about budget cuts, budget cuts and more budget cuts, sitting conservatives in the House have actually tripled spending this week to defend DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) that seeks to outlaw same-sex marriage on a federal level. As more Americans support marriage equality, and as the country suffers from an ongoing economic crisis, how anyone can justify this enormous spending is surprising – especially coming from Republicans who have criticized President Obama’s budget plans for being “too expensive.”
Taxpayers, if you would like to blame someone, then blame the House Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (BLAG) for announcing it would cough up a whopping $1.5 million to a D.C. law firm Bancroft PLLC for the ongoing defense of DOMA. The amount is actually triple that of what was initially pledged this past spring, angering some Democratic leaders who argue that the spending is outright discrimination.
“At a time when Americans are hurting and job creation should be the top priority, it just shows how out of touch House Republicans have become that they would spend up to $1.5 million to defend discrimination in our country,” says Drew Hammill, Nancy Pelosi’s deputy press secretary, in a statement today.
But potentially better news comes from Pennsylvania about DOMA. Three major marriage equality organizations penned an open letter to PA Sen. Robert Casey asking him to not only repeal DOMA, but to support the Respect for Marriage Act.
Freedom to Marry, Equality Pennsylvania and Courage Campaign all signed onto ask the senator to stop DOMA now.
“Supporting the repeal of the discriminatory and mean-spirited so-called Defense of Marriage Act it yet another large step,” says Ted Martin, executive director of Equality PA, in a press statement. “Supporting the repeal is the right choice for the senator.”
The three groups have filed a joint statement about DOMA, and are currently collecting signatures to repeal it throughout the Commonwealth in hopes of making room for same-sex marriage legalization.
“Loving and committed couples across Pennsylvania and the nation are harmed every day by DOMA,” says Marc Solomon, national campaign director for Freedom to Marry. “We are working with our partners at Equality PA and Courage Campaign to make sure Sen. Casey hears from his constituents who want him to join in support of the Respect for Marriage Act.”
Read the full letter to Sen. Casey by clicking here.
