Obama calls on Congress to pass law giving gay couples federal benefits

[jefferson_dem]

Obama calls on Congress to pass law giving gay couples federal benefits

By Lynn Sweet
on June 2, 2010 5:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2010

Statement by the President on the Extension of Benefits to Same-Sex Domestic Partners of Federal Employees

"Last year, I issued a Presidential Memorandum that instructed the Office of Personnel Management and the Secretary of State to extend certain available benefits they had identified to gay & lesbian federal employees and their families under their respective jurisdictions. Among those benefits were long-term care insurance and expanded sick leave for civil service employees and medical care abroad, eligibility for employment at posts, cost-of-living adjustments abroad and medical evacuation for domestic partners of foreign service members. In that same Memorandum, I called upon the federal agencies to undertake a comprehensive review and to identify any additional benefits that could be extended to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees under existing law. That process has now concluded, and I am proud to announce that earlier today, I signed a Memorandum that requires Executive agencies to take immediate action to extend to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees a number of meaningful benefits, from family assistance services to hardship transfers to relocation expenses. It also requires agencies that extend any new benefits to employees' opposite-sex spouses to make those benefits available on equal terms to employees' same-sex domestic partners to the extent permitted by law.

While this Memorandum is an important step on the path to equality, my Administration continues to be prevented by existing Federal law from providing same-sex domestic partners with the full range of benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married couples. That is why, today, I renew my call for swift passage of an important piece of legislation pending in both Houses of Congress--the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act. This legislation, championed by Senators Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, would extend to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees the full range of benefits currently enjoyed by Federal employees' opposite-sex spouses. I look forward to signing it into law."

###

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2010/06/obama_calls_on_congress_to_pas.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[activa8tr]

1. I want to see where THIS goes... into the black hole of "bipartisanship" no doubt just like

the health care reform became a big step forward for insurance company profits.

[saracat]

3. God, I hope not. I want this at least to be real. I am pleased he at least spoke the words but

it will not be enough until everyone has the same rights.

[saracat]

2. I am very proud of the president for doing this.This is a good thing!

[jaxx]

4. Me too.

He knows that without congress passing legislation another president can undo any exec. orders. It's a long painful process with congress, but a necessary one.

[David Zephyr]

21. It is.

I'm proud of him, too. Hillary did this in the State Department, but it is really great that President Obama has taken it to a broader level. He gets a lot of credit from me because this helps a lot of people now.

[MindandSoul]

5. Another step in the right direction! We're moving steadily now! Thanks to Obama!

[Political Tiger]

18. +1

n/t

[jefferson_dem]

6. MORE -

Obama orders more benefits for same-sex partners of federal workers
Posted: June 2nd, 2010 07:26 PM ET

President Obama ordered executive-branch agencies to extend benefits to employees' same-sex partners.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Barack Obama on Wednesday ordered executive-branch agencies to extend to employees' same-sex partners the same benefits provided to their opposite-sex partners, to the extent allowed by law.

The move followed up on Obama's memorandum last year that extended some benefits to same-sex partners of government workers and ordered federal agencies to review additional benefits that also could be available under existing laws.

"That process has now concluded, and I am proud to announce that earlier today, I signed a memorandum that requires executive agencies to take immediate action to extend to the same-sex domestic partners of federal employees a number of meaningful benefits, from family assistance services to hardship transfers to relocation expenses," Obama said in a statement.

Since taking office in January 2009, Obama has called for the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bans openly gay and lesbian soldiers from military service.

Under criticism from gay rights activists for a lack of progress on the issue, congressional Democrats pushed for legislative action that led to a recent compromise with the White House and the Pentagon on a conditional repeal once the military completes a review on how to implement the change.

The compromise language has passed the House and the Senate Armed Services Committee, with a full Senate vote expected in coming weeks.

The president also has urged Congress to pass the Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act, which would extend family benefits now available to heterosexual federal workers to gay and lesbian federal workers as well.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/02/obama-orders-more-benefits-for-same-sex-partners-of-federal-workers/?fbid=B63NQ7tPGZw

[rudy23]

7. Go, Obama! It's easier to trust his incrementalism when he's moving in the right direction.

Still would love to see him take a stronger stand, but here is a move where I can agree with the people who argue that moving in increments may be the most productive strategy.

[jefferson_dem]

9. ...

:thumbsup:

[vaberella]

8. Someone had said that Obama wanted to slow down DADT---this sort of stuff says otherwise. n/t

[saracat]

14. While I support this action, it doesn't prove anything until we see a result.

[Cha]

10. Good on the President and I just got an

email that asks if they can add my name to help Repeal DADT..

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/repealdadt


"Polls show that 78 percent of the country agrees that it's time to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," but opponents of reform aren't getting the message. Can you sign on to help us show that Americans overwhelmingly support repeal?"

[Politicub]

11. Fantastic! We have a long way to go before we achieve full equality...

but this is a step in the right direction.

[David Zephyr]

12. K&R.

!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

13. No, he's not! He's a homophobe and that's that! He ain't foolin' nobody!!!

:sarcasm:

[bigwillq]

15. K and R (nt)

[goclark]

16. Excellent!

[jeanpalmer]

17. Knowing full well it will never happen

and not lifting a finger to bring it about. He's a game player.

[ruggerson]

19. Instead of a convoluted piece of piecemeal legislation affecting only a tiny sliver of gay couples

why not just call for and work to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and tell the nation that the time is long overdue for marriage equality?

The frustrating part is that many suspect he is in favor of marriage equality but thinks it will harm him politically.

[mindwalker_i]

20. Damn, that will make it slightly harder to

bitch about him.

[Bluebear]

22. Damn, read #19