Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
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	Press Releases June 11, 2003   LIEBERMAN JOINS IN INTRODUCING DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS FOR GAY AND LESBIAN FEDERAL EMPLOYEES   WASHINGTON - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Joe Lieberman (D-CT) Wednesday joined with Senator Mark Dayton (D-MN), and Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) in introducing legislation to provide domestic partnership benefits to gay and lesbian federal employees. The bill, which will be referred to the Governmental Affairs Committee, would extend to domestic partners of federal employees all “benefits available and obligations imposed upon a spouse of an employee.” Domestic partners can be of the same or opposite sex, and they must file with OPM an affidavit saying they meet the criteria of the bill. Benefits would include life insurance, health insurance, retirement pay, and compensation for workplace injuries. “Senator Dayton’s legislation is an important and overdue expression and extension of two fundamental American values -- tolerance and fairness -- to gay and lesbian federal employees,” Lieberman said. “When gay men and lesbians who work for the Federal Government choose a life partner, those relationships should be treated with respect. Yet today, the domestic partners of federal employees cannot receive healthcare or qualify for other worker benefits simply because of their sexual orientation. “In America in the 21st Century that's wrong. It's time to move past outdated, unjustified double standards of this kind, as many private employers have already done. It's time to lead with a new vision of a more tolerant nation and take concrete steps toward equality in the workplace. “The Dayton bill will do just that, by protecting the rights of gay and lesbian federal workers who have accepted the responsibilities of domestic partnership. Hundreds of American corporations are already recognizing these same rights by providing the same benefits, and they have found that this leads to a healthier, more productive workforce. I urge the Congress to follow their lead and swiftly adopt this landmark legislation.”   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 June 2003 Press Releases May   |  July   --   2002   |  2004     June 30 - Lieberman, Cantwell Take Federal Energy Regulators to Task for Wall Street Phone Calls   June 29 - Lieberman Hails Independent Report on Homeland Security Funding for Confirming Bush Administration's Inadequate Commitment   June 27 - Lieberman Co-Sponsors Legislation to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King with Congressional Gold Medal   June 23 - Lieberman Investigation Leads to Over $50 million for California Ratepayers   June 17 - Lieberman Works for Cities and Counties, Hike in Homeland Security Funding   June 16 - Lieberman Praises Supreme Court Decision on Corporate Contributions   June 16 - Lieberman Says Homeland Security IG Report on Texas Flap is Inadequate   June 16 - Dodd, Lieberman Announce $24 Million for Connecticut First Responders, Critical Infrastructure   June 13 - Lieberman Requests Immediate Re-Evaluation of Department of Education Revisions   June 11 current Press Release   June 11 - Dodd, Lieberman Announce $2 Million to Protect Connecticut Ports   June 9 - More Flaws Found in Bidding on Iraqi Reconstruction Contracts   June 8 - Lieberman Asks for Details of Delay, Other Contacts with White House on Texas Redistricting Dispute   June 5 - Lieberman Demands Explanation From Treasury For Suppressing Long-term Budget Analysis
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Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510