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Repeal DOMA? Some Democrats Don't Agree With Obama
Josiah Ryan
Staff Writer
On the Spot (CNSNews.com) - Several Senate Democrats say they would not support Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in any attempt to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Although Obama opposes same-sex marriage, the "pride" section of his campaign Web site calls for repeal of DOMA.
The legislation, passed in 1996, defines marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman for purposes of all federal laws, and it says states do not have to recognize a marriage from another state if it is between persons of the same sex.
"Obama also believes we need to fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions," his Web site says.
One liberal Democrat said she would support Obama in an attempt to repeal the legislation, which Congress passed in 1996. But other Senate Democrats expressed surprise when they were informed about Obama's support for repealing DOMA.
When Cybercast News Service asked Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), who has been a vocal supporter of the Obama campaign, if he could support Obama in an attempt to repeal DOMA, he replied that he could not. "No. I support the Defense of Marriage Act. Period."
Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.) also told Cybercast News Service that he wouldn't support the repeal of DOMA. "I don't believe so. When I was governor of my state, we passed our own Defense of Marriage Act, which essentially said that while we respect the civil unions of those of the same sex, we believe that marriage is something that occurs and should occur between a man and a woman," he said. "That's the law we adopted when I was governor and I am not anxious to see that pushed aside."
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who is from one of the two states where the courts have upheld same-sex marriage, told Cybercast News Service that she was not aware of Obama's call to repeal DOMA. "I have not talked to Sen. Obama about that. I have not heard anything about that," she said. "I did not vote for DOMA in the first place. I voted against it, and I don't know anything about this."
Boxer also asked Cybercast News Service to provide her staff with proof that Obama holds this position. "I would like to see it. I would be very interested in seeing it. Please provide me with the documentation."
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) also told Cybercast News Service he was unaware of Obama's position on DOMA. "I haven't heard him say that," he said.
Only Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) answered that she would support Obama in such a plan. "Yes, I would," she said.
Make media inquiries or request an interview about this article.
E-mail a comment or news tip to Josiah Ryan
Although Obama opposes same-sex marriage, the "pride" section of his campaign Web site calls for repeal of DOMA.
The legislation, passed in 1996, defines marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman for purposes of all federal laws, and it says states do not have to recognize a marriage from another state if it is between persons of the same sex.
"Obama also believes we need to fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions," his Web site says.
One liberal Democrat said she would support Obama in an attempt to repeal the legislation, which Congress passed in 1996. But other Senate Democrats expressed surprise when they were informed about Obama's support for repealing DOMA.
When Cybercast News Service asked Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), who has been a vocal supporter of the Obama campaign, if he could support Obama in an attempt to repeal DOMA, he replied that he could not. "No. I support the Defense of Marriage Act. Period."
Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.) also told Cybercast News Service that he wouldn't support the repeal of DOMA. "I don't believe so. When I was governor of my state, we passed our own Defense of Marriage Act, which essentially said that while we respect the civil unions of those of the same sex, we believe that marriage is something that occurs and should occur between a man and a woman," he said. "That's the law we adopted when I was governor and I am not anxious to see that pushed aside."
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who is from one of the two states where the courts have upheld same-sex marriage, told Cybercast News Service that she was not aware of Obama's call to repeal DOMA. "I have not talked to Sen. Obama about that. I have not heard anything about that," she said. "I did not vote for DOMA in the first place. I voted against it, and I don't know anything about this."
Boxer also asked Cybercast News Service to provide her staff with proof that Obama holds this position. "I would like to see it. I would be very interested in seeing it. Please provide me with the documentation."
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) also told Cybercast News Service he was unaware of Obama's position on DOMA. "I haven't heard him say that," he said.
Only Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) answered that she would support Obama in such a plan. "Yes, I would," she said.
Make media inquiries or request an interview about this article.
E-mail a comment or news tip to Josiah Ryan
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