Republican Co-Sponsors DOMA Repeal Bill

Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has become the first Republican to co-sponsor a bill that would repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

"I co-sponsored the repeal of DOMA because I firmly believe that equality is enshrined in our constitution and in our great democracy," said Ros-Lehtinen in a statement released by Log Cabin Republicans early on Friday, Sept. 23.

New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler, who introduced the Respect for Marriage Act in the House in March along with several other Democrats, applauded Ros-Lehtinen.

“Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen has long been a tremendous ally in the world’s struggles for freedom and against oppression and discrimination," said Nadler. "She is widely recognized as a champion of human rights and human dignity. Her support reminds us that the march to repeal the discriminatory DOMA is not a partisan issue."

Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.,) Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced a companion DOMA repeal bill in Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the measure in July.