American taxpayers may now have to cover legal defense of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) by House Republicans to the tune of $1.5 million, after a limit on the amount attorney Paul Clement could charge the goverment was increased this week from $500,000, Think Progress LGBT reports:
The [House of Representatives] agrees to pay [Clement's law firm] for all services to be rendered pursuant to this Agreement a sum not to exceed $750,000.00. It is further understood and agreed that, effective October 1, 2011, the aforementioned $750,000 cap may be raised from time to time up to, but not exceeding, $1.5 million, upon written notice of the [House] to the [firm].
Clement has already spent the $500K, Think Progress notes.
Alvin McEwen at Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters takes a look at what it what spent on:
Let's spotlight the highlights – or rather lowlights – of Clement's DOMA defense thus far:
1. Clement tried to sneak in the testimony of former NOM chair Maggie Gallagher in a way which would have kept her from being cross-examined.
2. A professor cited by Clement in a brief defending DOMA, Lisa Diamond, complained that her work was being distorted.
3. Clement is also citing – in a second hand fashion – junk science from discredited researchers. In his defense of DOMA, Clement cites the work of Case Western Reserve University law professor George W. Dent, Jr.
More of McEwen's excellent post here.
