US House committee Passes Domestic Partner Benefits Bill

After a sometimes contentious debate, the U.S. House of Representatives' Oversight and Government Reform Committee passed a bill Nov. 18 that would expand domestic benefits to include same-sex partners, according to the Washington Post. The 23-12 vote on H.R. 2517, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009, broke down along party lines, with Democrats prevailing. Republicans said the expansion would undermine the traditional concept of marriage being between a man and a woman. In a statement, lesbian U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said, "Today's actions mark another significant step in our march toward LGBT equaliy. Our movement is gaining momentum around the country and Congress is following the will of the people." Full Story from the Windy City Times: http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=23567

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