A bill granting full health-care benefits to domestic partners of gay and lesbian federal employees cleared its first legislative hurdle today, as a House subcommittee approved the measure along a party-line vote.
The House subcommittee on federal workforce issues approved the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act by a 5 to 3 vote. It extends several benefits to gay partners, including access to health care coverage, retirement and disability plans, and life and long-term care insurance.
The measure earned an endorsement from President Obama in June when he extended some federal benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers. The president's memo did not give access to health care or retirement benefits, something Obama said he could not do without the legislation.
"Extending equal benefits to the same-sex partners of Federal employees is the right thing to do," Obama said at the time, noting that several top employers already offer benefits to same-sex partners.
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