AtMP submits congressional testimony on DP benefits
Last week, thanks to the quick work of a new intern, AtMP submitted written testimony about domestic partner benefits for federal employees to the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce etc. In sum, we told Congress that
The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009 offers an important opportunity to give unmarried Americans who work for the federal government better access to health coverage. However, by offering to include only same-sex partners, it falls short not only of the needs of federal employees but also of the standard set by competing employers.
The committee website also offers links to testimony by other organizations, labor unions and individuals.
This afternoon, we’re watching the webcast of the hearing. We had a brief moment of glee when Representative Chafetz of Utah expressed concern about discrimination against unmarried different-sex couples. Of course, the moment quickly passed when his comments made clear that he is more interested in “protecting” “traditional marriage” than recognizing family diversity. (Hear his comments roughly around 44 minutes and 1 hour 22 minutes into the webcast. Nonetheless, we’ll try reaching out to him to persuade him that discrimination is real and, unlike what Representative Baldwin said, not “easily cured” by getting married.
