SUPPORTING LEGISLATION TO REVERSE THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT

WHEREAS, the Defense of Marriage Act does not recognize same-sex marriages on the federal level; and

WHEREAS, marriage law is a reserved power left to the states and not a delegated power of the federal government; and

WHEREAS, the Defense of Marriage Act adversely affects many of our members, in that same-sex marriages are not recognized by the federal government, causing them to pay federal tax and FICA on the fringe benefit of healthcare coverage of their spouses; and

WHEREAS, these members are not allowed to utilize the Flex Plan offered by the federal government for their spouses:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will actively support and lobby for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will support the introduction of new federal legislation that abolishes the discriminatory effects of the Defense of Marriage Act.