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Obama Backs Repeal of Marriage Law

President endorses bill to kill act

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 20, 2011 1:41 AM CDT | Updated Jul 20, 2011 6:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama's "evolving views" on gay marriage appear to have evolved even further: The president has endorsed a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. The bill, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, is thought unlikely to pass Congress this year, but is facing its first Senate committee hearing today, the New York Times reports.

Obama earlier called the act unconstitutional and ordered the Justice Department to stop defending it in court. Feinstein plans to argue that the law should be repealed because the issue should decided at the state level, reports the Los Angeles Times. "Family law has traditionally been the preserve of state law. The single exception is the Defense of Marriage Act," she told reporters. "This is not a cause which we are going to drop. We are not faint hearts about this."

Gay rights protesters demonstrate outside an Obama fundraiser in California.
Gay rights protesters demonstrate outside an Obama fundraiser in California.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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This legislation would uphold the principle that the federal government should not deny gay and lesbian couples the same rights and legal protections as straight couples. - White House press secretary
Jay Carney

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 58 comments
AustinFound
Jul 20, 2011 9:20 AM CDT
GO GAYS!
Non-deep-thinker
Jul 20, 2011 7:33 AM CDT
The American voters need to take note of what has happened to this country in every issue area, foreign and domestic, since this bunch took over.  If they look at that, they'll know what to do when they get in the polls next year.
hopeandchange
Jul 20, 2011 3:52 AM CDT
Obama will do anything to distract from his utter and complete failure as a president.  His lies and double dealing are a matter of record.   The man has totally flipped out.

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