Senator Blumenthal Lauds Justice Department Decision to Decline DOMA Appeals

(Hartford, CT) – Following the Obama Administration’s decision not to appeal two cases regarding the Defense of Marriage Act, Senator Blumenthal released the following statement:

“I am pleased that President Obama has declined to appeal these lawsuits. This decision is not only legally correct, but will also add momentum to efforts in Congress to repeal this unfair and discriminatory law. The Department of Justice’s conclusion that the law is unconstitutional offers compelling support in the fight to repeal DOMA, which I will continue to advocate for as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.”

The lawsuits in question involve the constitutionality of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prevents same sex couples from accessing numerous federal tax and other benefits. Both cases, which the Department of Justice is declining to appeal, come from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, including one case that originated in Connecticut.

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