human rights campaign

A bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act [DOMA] was introduced in the U.S. House on Tuesday, garnering 92 cosponsors including Minnesota Reps. Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum. The bill would direct the federal government to recognize same-sex marriage performed in states where the practice is legal.

President Obama’s Justice Department filed a brief on Thursday to uphold the federal Defense of Marriage Act in a lawsuit brought against the federal government by married same-sex couples from California. The Justice Department’s move has angered marriage equality advocates who say Obama is backing away from his campaign promise to repeal DOMA.