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February 24th, 2011
07:51 AM ET
Justice Department will no longer defend Defense of Marriage Act
In a major policy shift, the Obama administration has instructed the Justice Department to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act in court.
Passed in 1996, The Defense of Marriage Act prevents the government from recognizing same-sex marriage and defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Though the administration is now saying the Act is unconstitutional, the Act remains in the books as a law. truTV Legal Contributor and former Federal Prosecutor Sunny Hostin talks to T.J. Holmes about the administration's policy switch.
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I guess you don't agree with a law you don't have to defend it? What's next?
Since when does the executive branch of government decide if a law is unconstitutional?
Marriage is by it's nature a civil act, the government license is the one that "marries" us, what happens in places of worship is social and spiritual! The government needs to show that this right is open to all persons!
Absolutely agree, Daniel.
Not sure why this is such a hard topic to fix. The U.S. Government should make all couples apply for a civial union licence. This will allow all parental rights & governmental rights to all couples. Then inside your faith you can have you church or temple or synagogue bestow you with a marriage licence. this will take out all the problems as the word marriage has a defination of a union of souls between a man and a woman. Why is this so hard. Are politicians don't actually think about a solution they just try to walk the fence line. Please we all need to start thinking.
God Bless All.