Pelosi Statement on Latest Federal Court Decision Declaring DOMA Unconstitutional

Statement

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional in Pedersen v. OPM. This decision marks Speaker Boehner's fifth consecutive loss in federal courts.

"Today's ruling marks another historic step forward in the fight for equality for LGBT Americans. This decision demonstrates a clear message from federal courts across the country: it is time to relegate DOMA to the dustbin of history.

"The District Court's decision marks the fifth time Speaker Boehner has wasted taxpayer dollars on a failed effort to defend discrimination and undermine civil rights. The congressional Republicans' single-minded effort to uphold DOMA at any cost comes at great expense to the American people and rejects our nation's heritage of equality for all.

"With today's strong ruling in support of equal protection under the law, we are now even closer to the day when DOMA is ultimately found unconstitutional and when marriage equality is a reality for every American. We can now look forward to the day when all of America's families enjoy the blessings of fairness and justice."

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