The Respect for Marriage Act is a bill introduced to Congress in March 2011 that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which limits marriage in the United States to heterosexual couples. Passage of the Respect for Marriage Act would allow the federal government to extend spousal benefits to same-sex couples. It would not force states where same-sex marriage is illegal to recognize marriages issued by other states. President Obama expressed his support for the repeal of DOMA on July 19, 2011.A repeal of DOMA would provide same-sex couples with the federal benefits they have long been denied. In their coverage of Congressional hearing that took place July 20, the Washington Times shares personal stories of spouses disadvantaged by DOMA. One man is not entitled to social security benefits after his partner passed away; two women pay over $700 more in taxes than they would have to could they file jointly, as a married couple. These stories illustrate that the repeal of DOMA is about more than an esoteric, theoretical battle for recognition; the law infringes on the rights of American citizens every day and its repeal will improve their lives.Those opposed to a repeal of DOMA cite evidence that children fare better in a two-parent home (a fact interpreted in this context as a male-and-female parent home) and claim that the majority of voters are opposed to recognizing same-sex marriage. After the hearing on July 20, it's unclear what the timeline of the Respect for Marriage Act will look like. The Democrats supporting the bill would like to move on it quickly, but Speaker of the House John Boehner has said he will not bring the legislation before the House for a vote. Even if the Respect for Marriage Act does not move forward soon, it will eventually. When that time comes, do you think Congress should pass the Respect for Marriage Act, thereby repealing DOMA?
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