Release:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Bob Gibbs released the following statement after Speaker John Boehner announced that the House’s Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group will meet for the purpose of defending the Defense of Marriage Act in federal court. This action is in response to the Obama Administration’s announcement that they would immediately stop defending portions of the Defense of Marriage Act.“I continue to support the defense of marriage act that defines marriage as between one man and one woman,” said Gibbs. “The President should not have the ability to ignore enforcement of this or any law based on his social politics. The constitutionality of this law should be determined by the courts, and this action by the House will ensure the matter is addressed in a manner consistent with our Constitution.“I will continue my efforts to cut spending, grow the economy and create jobs, while ensuring that the Administration fulfills its constitutional duty to defend a law passed overwhelmingly by bipartisan margins of Congress and signed into law by President Clinton. I thank the Speaker for initiating the process for the House to intervene and defend this important law.”The Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group is a five-member panel consisting of the Speaker of the House, Majority Leader, Majority Whip, Minority Leader, and Minority Whip. Under House rules, the advisory group has the authority to instruct the non-partisan office of the House General Counsel to take legal action on behalf of the House of Representatives.
