House Speaker Boehner Moves to Defend DOMA in Obama’s Place

By support
Mar 04, 2011 at 03:01 pm

House Speaker John Boehner announced today, as expected, that he will initiate the process for having the House step in to defend the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" in court. Last week President Obama has ordered the Justice Department not to do so because he determined that the law was unconstitutionally discriminating against gay couples.

Boehner criticized the president's decision, saying "The constitutionality of this law should be determined by the courts -- not by the president unilaterally -- and this action by the House will ensure the matter is addressed in a manner consistent with our Constitution."

In fact, there are quite a few examples of presidents choosing to not defend laws they find to be unconstitutional, going back decades and including Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, and Bush (father and son).

Boehner has also said that the Obama Administration is no longer enforcing the law. Unfortunately for the thousands of gay couples suffering under DOMA, this is a lie.