The Obama administration is backing a new congressional measure that would repeal the anti-LGBT 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, which denies federal recognition of gay marriage. The new “Respect for Marriage Act” was introduced following the White House’s surprise announcement it would stop defending DOMA in court earlier this year. Speaking before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese urged lawmakers to back DOMA’s repeal.

Joe Solmonese: ”DOMA means that the many protections the federal government provides for the health and security of American families remains out of reach for same-sex couples and their children. It keeps, for instance, gay and lesbian Americans from sponsoring their spouses for immigration to the United States, forcing bi-national couples to choose between love and country.”