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Appeals court to hear DOMA case next week

 
By Chris Johnson on March 29, 2012


http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/03/29/appeals-court-to-hear-doma-case-next-week/


Litigation challenging the Defense of Marriage Act — as well as House Republicans' continued defense of the anti-gay law — is receiving renewed attention as a court hearing is set to take place next week in Boston on the constitutionality of the statute.

On Wednesday starting at 10 a.m., a three-judge panel on the First Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments on DOMA, which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriage, marking the first time an appellate court has considered the constitutionality of the statute.

The Defense of Marriage Act was passed in the Senate by a vote of 85-14.  Democrat Senators approved the bill by a margin of 32-14.  Republican Senators approved it 53-0. (1 Democrat Senator did not vote)

In the House the bill was approved on a vote of 188-65, with 15 not voting.  The Republican Representatives approved of the bill 224-1.  The Democrats approved of the bill 118-65.  1 Independent Representative voted against the bill.

The bill was signed into law by Democrat President Bill Clinton in 1996.