Norton Gets New Assurances DC Same Sex Law is Safe Despite Latest Republican Bill (1/27/2010)

Norton Gets New Assurances D.C. Same Sex Law is Safe Despite Latest Republican Bill

January 27, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today continued to protect the District's "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act" after one of her Republican colleagues introduced a measure attempting to block it. Norton, who serves on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with jurisdiction over District of Columbia matters, said that she is sure that the committee will reject the "resolution of disapproval" against the same-sex marriage law, introduced by Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), as the committee rejected other anti-home rule legislation. "I am pleased that this resolution will not be taken up by the committee," Norton said of the committee that supports home rule for the District of Columbia. The District, unlike other jurisdictions, must submit its laws to Congress for review before they take effect.

The Congresswoman called the same-sex law "a home rule and human rights issue for the District alone to decide."

The Office of the Congresswoman is counting down the days to the end of the congressional review period of the same-sex marriage law, posting the days left before passage of the law on the Congresswoman's website at https://www.norton.house.gov/. Norton is planning a Capitol Hill reception to celebrate the home rule victory when the District's law is confirmed. The Congresswoman will invite the LGBT community, city officials, residents, and champions of civil rights and human rights.