House Committee Approves Bill Granting Partner Benefits To Federal Employees

Yesterday the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted 23-12 to approve Rep. Tammy Baldwin's bill granting benefits for the partners of federal employees.

The bill is now likely to move to a full House floor vote, which many anticipate could take place before the end of the year. “Last I talked to the majority leader who sets the floor schedule, he was hopeful that it could get fairly prompt attention by the full House,” said out congresswoman Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, who is the lead sponsor of the bill in the House. Debate over the bill split along party lines with Democrats emphasizing the concepts of fairness and equality and Republicans objecting to the legislation on the basis that it would begin to redefine marriage or would create special rights for LGBT people.

Get ready for the right to mobilize against the full House vote.