Barack Obama Will Support Legislation Repealing DOMA

Today White House press secretary Jay Carney announced that President Obama will endorse the Respect for Marriage Act, which repeals the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and would grant all lawfully married couples, including same-sex couples, federal marriage benefits and protections. Carney said, "The president has long called for a legislative repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which continues to have a real impact on the lives of real people --our families, friends and neighbors. He is proud to support the Respect for Marriage Act, introduced by Senator Feinstein and Congressman Nadler, which would take DOMA off the books once and for all," granting gay and lesbian couples the same rights and protections under the law as straight couples. Via ABC News, as for his personal view on same-sex marriages, the president will only say that it is "evolving." Tomorrow marks the first Congressional hearing on whether to repeal DOMA. [ABC]