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McCarthy Statement on the Defense of Marriage Act

Statement

Date: March 4, 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Defense Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Congressman Kevin McCarthy issued the following statement regarding the Defense of Marriage Act:

"Today, Speaker Boehner announced the House Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group will take steps to defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). As a member of this 5-person group, I support the Speaker's action in light of President Obama's decision to shirk his constitutional responsibility to defend this law that has been on the books for 14 years. The decision to abdicate responsibility by the Department of Justice and the intervention by the House will ultimately allow for some of the best lawyers in the country to defend the law. I look forward to the BLAG meeting next week to chart a forceful course of action."

NOTE: The Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group is a five-member panel consisting of the Speaker of the House, Majority Leader, Majority Whip, Minority Leader, and Minority Whip. The BLAG has the authority to instruct the non-partisan office of the House General Counsel to take legal action on behalf of the House of Representatives. The House General Counsel would assist in securing additional counsel and advise on the legal strategy.


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