VIRGINIA: Democrats Retain Senate Seat

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) Launches Petition To Strike Down DOMA

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) has launched a petition to the Supreme Court demanding the overturn of DOMA. Via email from Warner's office:

Even though many states now recognize the rights of committed same-sex couples to marry, the federal government continues to discriminate. Same-sex couples are denied all sorts of legal rights – like access to their spouse’s insurance benefits and Social Security survivor benefits – because of an outdated law called DOMA. That’s just wrong. All married couples should be entitled to the same legal rights – regardless of sexual orientation. The Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments challenging the Constitutionality of DOMA, and I signed an amicus brief urging the Court to do the right thing and strike down this discriminatory law. Can you make your voice heard before the Court issues its ruling? Please sign my petition and urge the Court to strike down DOMA so that committed same-sex couples get the same legal rights as anyone else.

Sen. Mark Warner Backs Marriage

"I support marriage equality because it is the fair and right thing to do. Like many Virginians and Americans, my views on gay marriage have evolved, and this is the inevitable extension of my efforts to promote equality and opportunity for everyone. I was proud to be the first Virginia governor to extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBT state workers. In 2010, I supported an end to the military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy, and earlier this month I signed an amicus brief urging the repeal of DOMA. I believe we should continue working to expand equal rights and opportunities for all Americans." - Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), today announcing his support on his Facebook page.  That's two formerly recalcitrant Senate Democrats in one day, folks.