Sen. `Durbin Supports Repeal of Defense of Marriage Act in 2012
By Ellen Cannon
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin (D) strongly supports ending forms of discrimination that denies federal benefits to same sex marriages. Underscoring the “profound leadership” of Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) with regard to calling for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Durbin stated on Friday that he will urge support for the repeal. He said “I believe that we should have marriage equality in this country- that we should treat people fairly, that we should not discriminate against them in this circumstance.”
Senator Durbin, Assistant Majority Whip of the Senate underscored that he originally voted for DOMA, and he now thinks he was wrong on the matter. “My views have changed, not because of politics, partisanship, or political donations. I have changed my mind because it is the right thing to do.”(Sen. Durbin, Senate Judiciary Committee)
Senator Durbin noted that Senator Feinstein “has given us a rare opportunity to put an end to some very real forms of discrimination. I do not want to me on the wrong side of history.” (Sen. Durbin, youtube, 12/23/11)
Durbin emphasized that he strongly supports the rights of states to define the definition of marriage for their state. The repeal of DOMA, he argued, will not undermine this state role. Clarifying the DOMA law, Durbin pointed out that if a state has not legalized same sex marriage this law will not impact it. If however, a state does recognize same sex marriages, federal benefits he argues, must not be denied to those couples.
Asked by the Senate Judiciary Committee when the calendar might result in the repeal measure coming up, he replied that because of the filibuster tendency of the Republicans he cannot give a clear answer. However, he did note that he hopes it can come up in Congress in early 2012.
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