Hearings To Repeal DOMA To Begin

Though we don't know much else about the issue, hearings have been proposed to hear testimony in a Senate committee over the ramifications of ending the Defense of Marriage Act.  Senator Patrick Leahy, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, made the announcement today without releasing an actual date for testimony to begin nor suggesting possible witnesses.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, ever a staunch supporter of LGBT issues, released a statement praising the proposal.  From the Washington Blade:

"'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 hearings would be the first testimony of its kind to appear in Congress, with the discriminatory piece of legislation existing uncontested since signed into law on September 21, 1996.  However, DOMA has in recent weeks seen a lack of support from the administration and judiciary, perhaps signaling that its days are numbered.