Yesterday, the House Committee on Federal Workforce Issues voted 5-3 to approve the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, the WaPo reports:
"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….In a statement, the bill's sponsor Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) echoed the president's comments, saying she was 'delighted' by the subcommittee's move and that the bill should be passed to ensure the federal government's competitive edge…The bill must next be approved by the full House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and only then would be considered by the full House."
