Washington D.C. – In a highly anticipated report, Attorney General Eric Holder has acknowledged the federal government’s incomplete implementation of the Windsor decision, which struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act.
According to the report, while agencies across the federal government have made significant progress in extending benefits to same-sex couples, two critical agencies – the Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs – are prohibited by federal statute from adopting a ‘place of celebration’ rule for certain programs.
As a result, millions of Americans relying on these programs are left without access to essential benefits, regardless of where they live.
Attorney General Holder has announced that the administration will work with Congress to fix these parts of the law, but critics argue that this is a Band-Aid solution that does little to address the root issue.
Despite these challenges, the administration has made significant strides in extending benefits to same-sex couples. The Defense Department, for example, will provide spousal benefits for same-sex spouses of military servicemembers, and the administration has announced that same-sex marriages will be recognized for all federal tax purposes.
However, the administration’s efforts have been met with criticism from advocates who argue that more needs to be done to ensure equal treatment for all Americans.
At the center of the controversy is Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division Stuart Delery, who led the team of lawyers working to extend federal benefits to same-sex couples. While Delery’s efforts have been praised, some critics argue that he has not done enough to address the systemic issues that prevent full implementation of the Windsor decision.
A full copy of the Attorney General’s report to President Obama is attached, but critics say it is a clear indication of the federal government’s inability to fully implement the Windsor decision.
Related Federal Cases
- Staten Island Cop Swindles $212k in Benefits, Pleads Guilty · Washington
- Grandma’s Benefits Thief Sentenced to Prison · Washington
- Osmin Alfaro Sentenced for Sex Offender Registration, Illegal Re-Entry · Maryland
- Seattle Man Charged with Sex Trafficking · Washington
- Seattle Sex Offender Doran Gets 8+ Years, Linked to Vietnam Murder · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Sex Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
