Lawmakers Clash at Domestic Partner Benefits Hearing

Not that it's surprising, but lawmakers are sharply divided on the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act at a markup being held in the House Oversight and Government Reform. After ranking Republican Darrell Issa cited unemployment figures among African-American men to make the case that the bill wasn't necessary to attract workers into the federal government, DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton snapped back "I'd be pleased to work with him if he is interested in [minority employment], which I'm sure he is." After Rep. Jason Chaffetz declared that "I recognize the sensitivity of this subject, but I also want to stand tall for traditional marriage. I don't' think we should be bashful and shy away from the fact that there are some of us who believe in the precepts, and believe in this issue of traditional marriage," a variety of Democratic lawmakers have come back with parables of love and tolerance. It's an interesting intrusion of the culture wars into federal management. But with a majority on the committee, it's hard to believe the measure won't pass later this afternoon.