U. S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX25) sent out the following letter indicating his support for overturning the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). 

Last week I joined a number of colleagues in filing a legal brief in support of litigation seeking to invalidate the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, as unconstitutional.  It is the first time that I have joined such an amicus brief on any subject during my years in Congress.  I am also a sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal DOMA and provide certainty for same-sex married couples in terms of Federal obligations and benefits.  As you may recall, I have previously voted in both 2004 and 2006 against a proposal that would have written DOMA-type language into the U.S. Constitution.
 
I am also sponsoring a bill to end the federal tax inequities for employer-sponsored health coverage as well as to extend the Family and Medical Leave Act to permit an employee to take up to twelve weeks of leave from work to care for a domestic partner or same-sex spouse with a serious health condition.  I have urged the IRS to provide specific guidance to ease the complexity and uncertainty surrounding LGBT taxpayers, who are married or in domestic partnerships.
 
Receiving the Bettie Naylor Lifetime Achievement Award for my longstanding support for human rights in 2008 at the HRC dinner is one of the highlights of my service in Congress.  I look forward to continued work with you to address our shared concerns. 
 
Please keep me advised of federal matters with which I may be of assistance.
 
 


                                                                     Sincerely,
                                                                     Lloyd Doggett