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U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin
U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin
I just received a press release from the congressional office of openly lesbian U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin saying that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia passed the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009 (H.R. 2517) today on a 5-3 vote.
Baldwin’s statement said that under the legislation, same-sex domestic partners of federal employees living together in a committed relationship would be eligible for health benefits, long-term care, Family and Medical Leave, and federal retirement benefits, among others. The domestic partners of federal employees would also be subject to the same responsibilities that apply to the spouses of federal employees, such as anti-nepotism rules and financial disclosure requirements.
President Obama has said he “strongly supports” the measure.