Adam Bink at Prop 8 Trial Tracker today announced
This morning, some good news on a few fronts. We received word from Senate allies that Sens. Bingaman and Udall have signed on as co-sponsors of the Respect for Marriage Act, sponsored by Sen. Feinstein, which would repeal DOMA.
That brings to twenty-nine the total number of Senate supporters for repeal of DOMA, including all Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, the first stop on any path to repeal. Only a few months ago just twenty Senators had signed on.
Perhaps serendipitiously, perhaps not, today Senator Leahy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee
announced a hearing ((on the bill)) titled S.598, The Respect for Marriage Act: Assessing the Impact of DOMA on American Families, scheduled for Wednesday, July 20th at 10 AM EST in Washington.
Why will this hearing matter, if the votes aren't there to pass DOMA repeal in either the House or the Senate?
Every little bit helps. The general idea that LGBT Americans are not entitled to the same rights as other Americans is getting chipped away at. The more publicity, the better. The more crazy homophobes testify in front of Congress and speak in the media, the more insane their positions seem to the average American.
The spotlight will be focused on Democratic Senators and Congresspeople who do not yet support DOMA repeal. And there are plenty of them. Pressure will be brought to bear, and publicity will ensue (see 'every little bit helps') when our representatives either come out in support of refuse to take a stand.
We might be able to drag one or two Republicans along if the clamor becomes loud enough. C.f., New York State and the fight for marriage equality. And that will be a turning point of epic proportions.
A large percentage of the American people have no idea what DOMA is or what affect it has. And its likely that just about as large a percentage, if they understood, who agree that it should be repealed. No, no Congressional hearing is going to enlighten more than a very small percentage of the populace, but see 'every little bit helps'.
The edifice surrounding DOMA is falling. Judicially, especially with the recent Golinski brief filed by the DoJ, politically and in the court of public opinion. Let's just keep trying to make that fall happen a little quicker each day.
Update: Bingaman and Sanders are recorded as co-sponsors as of yesterday, according to Thomas
Update: Zounds!
In reaction, The Family Research Council released a statement that said it “would be only a matter of time” before the definition of marriage at the state level would be struck down—“including in the 29 states that have put that definition in their own constitutions.”
Update: Burlington Free Press
The hearing, titled "S.598, The Respect for Marriage Act: Assessing the Impact of DOMA on American Families," will be webcast live. Witnesses' names are to be made public in the next few days.
Update: More co-sponsors of the corresponding House Bill, HR 1116:
First, the good news: Reps. Kathy Hochul and Bill Owens are now co-sponsors of H.R. 1116. Now, the not-so-good news: One Democrat and all the NY House GOPers are still not co-sponsoring the repeal bill. The one Democrat is Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D). She votes the right way on LGBT equality legislation, so not sure why she isn't on board...
Here are the members of the New York delegation who are not co-sponsors of H.R. 1116. Seems like it would be a nice wedding present for those New Yorkers who are getting married if all of the NY delegation showed its opposition to the federal discrimination in DOMA. If your member is on this list, urge them to cosponsor H.R. 1116:
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-4): 202-225-5516
Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R-25): 202-225-3701
Rep. Chris Gibson (R-20): 202-225-5614
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-13): 202-225-3371
Rep. Richard Hanna (R-24): 202-225-3665
Rep. Nan Hayworth (R-19): 202-225-5441
Rep. Peter King (R-3): 202-225-7896
Rep. Tom Reed (R-29): 202-225-3161