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.
(2012)