Boehner launches effort to defend gay marriage ban

[Akoto]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Speaker John Boehner said Friday he is launching a legal defense by the House of the federal law against gay marriage, which President Barack Obama's administration has concluded is unconstitutional.

"The constitutionality of this law should be determined by the courts -- not by the president unilaterally," the Ohio Republican said in a statement. "This action by the House will ensure the matter is addressed in a manner consistent with our Constitution."

The Obama administration last month announced it would no longer defend the constitutionality of the federal law that bans recognition of gay marriage. Attorney General Eric Holder said the section of the 1996 law defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman is unconstitutional. Nonetheless, he said the Justice Department would continue to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act, and it remains in effect.

Boehner said he would convene a group of bipartisan congressional leaders that has the authority to instruct the House counsel to represent the chamber in court. The panel would include Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va.; Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.; Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi D-Calif., and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BOEHNER_GAY_MARRIAGE?SITE=COBOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Blue Owl]

1. Go fuck yourself with a styrofoam dildo, Bonehead

n/t

[joeybee12]

2. Do I rec so people are aware, or should I unrec because Bonehead is an asshole? nt

[Akoto]

5. Personally, I posted it for the sake of awareness. n/t

[JuniperLea]

7. I will rec for awareness...

And hope that people understand this is actually a very good thing.

[joeybee12]

13. Yeah, I know you did...it just emphasizes the limitations of the rec/unrec feature...

I'll rec so people will see this.

[uppityperson]

15. I rec'd so more people may see it. nt

[no limit]

3. Nancy Pelosi is onboard? WTF?

[JuniperLea]

6. Holding this up to the Constitiution is exactly what needs to be done...

In order to bind their evil hands from touching it again. Obama's comments were bait, and Boehner swallowed it whole.

[No Elephants]

19. You must have a lot of faith in Justice Kennedy.

[Moosepoop]

17. She's not "on board" with Boehner.

From the link in the OP:

Boehner said he was convening the panel of House leaders "for the purpose of initiating action by the House to defend this law." But there was no immediate indication of specifically what action it would direct or when the group would meet.

Democrats on the panel were unlikely to support any defense of the law. Pelosi has lauded Obama's decision to stop defending it as a "victory for civil rights, fairness and equality."

On Friday, she criticized the move as a costly burden on House staff.

"This is nothing more than a distraction from our most pressing challenges" such as creating jobs and reducing the federal deficit, she said.

I don't know if the Dems have the option of turning down their appointments to this panel... if not, it sounds like they may not be very cooperative with the others.

[No Elephants]

18. I did not see that.

"Boehner said he was convening the panel of House leaders "for the purpose of initiating action by the House to defend this law." But there was no immediate indication of specifically what action it would direct or when the group would meet.

Democrats on the panel were unlikely to support any defense of the law. Pelosi has lauded Obama's decision to stop defending it as a "victory for civil rights, fairness and equality."

On Friday, she criticized the move as a costly burden on House staff.

"This is nothing more than a distraction from our most pressing challenges" such as creating jobs and reducing the federal deficit, she said."

[no limit]

20. OK thanks, I was a little thrown off by the OP

[JuniperLea]

4. Well good... he took the bait...

Let him hold it up to the Constitution... he will fail.

[RKP5637]

8. Yeah, Boner focuses on the national crisis first. What an asshole. n/t

[Teaser]

9. Obama's fault.

entirely.

[Eric the Blue]

10. Where are the jobs "Crying" John

As time goes on, it becomes very clear that the Republicans are interested in social issues and just want to wreck the economy.

[alp227]

21. I was about to say that too. And only your second post since Jan 2009?

Keep reading and discussing on DU, though! :hi:

[No Elephants]

24. Well, it was an unmistakeably "blue" post. Not always

true of posts by infrequent posters.

[AsahinaKimi]

11. And

John Bloehner, sorry...Boehner said this where? Oh yeah..

[Plucketeer]

12. Think of the jobs this'll create!

Mobile brigades of anti-gay marriage enforcers! :crazy:

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sakabatou]

16. I wonder if Boner would be against interracial marriage...

[alp227]

22. nonsense, that's the infinith rail of american politics beyond social security n/t

[No Elephants]

23. Boehner is bs heavy. Obama is not declaring DOMA unconstitutional unilaterally.

D of J will continue to defend all of DOMA in circuits where precedent says the standard of review is "rational basis." However, in circuits where no precedent exizts, D of J will not defend 1 (ONE) section of DOMA.

And, D of J invited Congress to defend, if it wiahes.

Finally, regardless of who defends, federal courts and only federal courts DO make the final and binding determination as to the constitutionality of a federal law. (Duh)

Either Boehner is very ignorant about how federal government works or is intentionally attempting to mislead Amerian voters. Either way, he needs to sit down and shut up until he is ready, willing and able to tell the truth.