Senator Feinstein Set To Underscore Her Attempt At Repealing Defense Of Marriage Act

A Senate committee this week will highlight same-sex marriage, as Senator Dianne Feinstein pushes for repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, USA Today reporting that Feinstein (D-California) is the lead sponsor of a bill to repeal DOMA, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman and which bans federal recognition of same-sex marriage. The Obama administration earlier this year said it would no longer defend DOMA, saying the legal landscape has changed. Most recently, of course, New York became the largest state to allow same-sex marriages: an action that gay rights supporters say gives momentum to similar laws across the country. Feinstein on Tuesday is expected to be joined at a news conference by three gay couples who will talk about the roadblocks they have endured as a direct result of DOMA. On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the existing law and discuss Feinstein's repeal bill. "My own belief is that when two people love each other and enter the contract of marriage, the federal government should honour that," Feinstein said in February, when the Obama administration said it would no longer defend the anti-same-sex marriage law. She opposed DOMA when it was enacted in 1996. There are 28 Senate co-sponsors, all Democrats, on Feinstein's bill. In the Republican-led House, Speaker John Boehner has hired a lawyer to ensure that the Defense of Marriage Act is upheld and defended. Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-New York) is the chief sponsor of the House bill to repeal DOMA. While a repeal bill stands little chance of passing both chambers of Congress this year, its supporters say the legislation and the Senate hearing are still valuable. Both will help set the stage for same-sex marriage to be an issue in the 2012 elections. "We see this as a long-term effort and part of that effort is education," says Adam Bink, director of online programs for Courage Campaign, an advocacy group.