News

GOP Congressman Richard Hanna Wants Federal Respect for New York Marriages, Signs on to DOMA Repeal

December 21, 2012

(Washington, DC) - Today Congressman Richard Hanna (R-NY) became the second Republican to sign on as a cosponsor of the Respect of Marriage Act to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). DOMA currently prohibits federal recognition of legally married same-sex couples, in flagrant violation of the principles of federalism and equal protection under the law.

"Congressman Richard Hanna has been a staunch ally for the gay community since arriving in Congress, and his co-sponsorship of DOMA repeal sends a powerful message that the federal government has no business disrespecting decisions by states like New York to protect gay and lesbian families," said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director R. Clarke Cooper. "Congressman Hanna's public support for the Respect for Marriage Act will embolden fellow Republicans who value the Constitution's design for limited government and respect for individual liberty. Especially after the last election, many in our party are finally recognizing that we have to deal with the reality of committed same-sex partnerships, and that the federal government has a responsibility to ensure all legally married couples are treated equally under federal law. Repealing DOMA is a crucial step in the right direction, and Richard Hanna, as a champion of true conservative principles, is helping to lead the way."

Log Cabin Republicans were proud to endorse Richard Hanna for election in both 2010 and 2012, and awarded the congressman with the organization's highest honor, the Spirit of Lincoln Award, in September 2011. As a freshman member of Congress, Hanna joined the House Gay Equality Caucus and cosponsored several other pieces of pro-equality legislation, including the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), the Safe Schools Improvement Act, and the Tax Parity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act, which would equalize tax treatment for health benefits provided to domestic partners by employers.