Sen. Sherrod Brown to support DOMA repeal; 1 of 2 former House members to vote against DOMA

May 5, 2011

By Adam Bink

DOMA-Count-36

Today, we got word, confirmed by Senate sources, that Sen. Sherrod Brown will co-sponsor Sen. Feinstein’s legislation, the “Respect for Marriage Act”, to repeal DOMA. A longtime supporter of LGBT equality, Sen. Brown is one of two Senators who voted against DOMA while serving in the House of Representatives in 1996, the other being Sen. Bernie Sanders (and one of just eight Senators serving currently who voted against DOMA in 1996).

Sen. Brown’s decision brings the number of co-sponsors to 22, plus the support of Sen. Klobuchar, who confirmed to the Washington Blade that she will support repeal.

The list of co-sponsors is now as follows:

Sen. Akaka (HI)

Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT)

Sen. Boxer (D-CA)

Sen. Brown (D-OH)

Sen. Cantwell (D-WA)

Sen. Coons (D-DE)

Sen. Durbin (D-IL)

Sen. Franken (D-MN)

Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY)

Sen. Harkin (D-IA)

Sen. Inouye (D-HI)

Sen. Kerry (D-MA)

Sen. Kohl (D-WI)

Sen. Lautenberg (D-NJ)

Sen. Leahy (D-VT)

Sen. Merkley (D-OR)

Sen. Murray (D-WA)

Sen. Schumer (D-NY)

Sen. Shaheen (D-NH)

Sen. Udall (D-CO)

Sen. Whitehouse (D-RI)

Sen. Wyden (D-OR)

Filed under: DOMA Repeal

44 Comments Leave a Comment

  • 1. Kathleen  |  May 5, 2011 at 5:49 am

    √

  • 2. Alan E.  |  May 5, 2011 at 5:51 am

    the box

  • 3. Meagan  |  May 5, 2011 at 5:53 am

    So happy I voted for him! I think I'll call and let him know.

  • 4. Ed Cortes  |  May 5, 2011 at 5:54 am

    me too

  • 5. Sagesse  |  May 5, 2011 at 5:54 am

    One step at a time.

  • 6. Ann S.  |  May 5, 2011 at 6:11 am

    §

  • 7. Alex  |  May 5, 2011 at 6:11 am

    Is there a running list somewhere of the senators who have indicated support for repeal? I know Act on Principles has its grassroots whipping list, but I'd rather have something a bit more official that will be updated as we get these developments.

  • 8. adambink  |  May 5, 2011 at 6:22 am

    You know what, I'll even update the post.

  • 9. Rhie  |  May 5, 2011 at 6:24 am

    Watching

  • 10. adambink  |  May 5, 2011 at 6:29 am

    Updated the post with the full list, found at thomas.loc.gov. Sen. Brown's name is not yet processed.

  • 11. 415kathleenk  |  May 5, 2011 at 6:39 am

    hmmmm. thank goodness for the support of these senators -aside- why is Senator Feinstein's name not on the list? As a Californian, i am thrilled both of our distinguished senators are on board. However this is a fraction of the Democratic senators.

    Where are the rest of them???

  • 12. adambink  |  May 5, 2011 at 6:43 am

    She is the lead sponsor. This is a list of co-sponsors. Check out the intro paragraph on this post.

  • 13. JonT  |  May 5, 2011 at 6:49 am

    ☮

  • 14. Kathleen  |  May 5, 2011 at 7:10 am

    This should be the last amicus brief in Perry:

    Joshua Beckley in support of Proponents: http://www.scribd.com/doc/54729206

    The only other one on the docket is the brief from Margie Reilly and it's probably the same as she submitted earlier and was told to resubmit at the appropriate time: http://www.scribd.com/doc/48968709/Margie-Reilly-…

  • 15. Canadian JAG Officer  |  May 5, 2011 at 7:48 am

    Looks like Brazil is about to have Civil Unions or Equal Marriage or BOTH!!!
    http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2011/05/breaking-bra…

    fingers crossed for this ruling!

  • 16. Canadian JAG Officer  |  May 5, 2011 at 7:56 am

    The court has majority ruling in favour of civil unions (which are the same as marriage) for Brazil!!! and they may still later decide to extend full marriage!

    Very good news!

  • 17. Straight Ally #3008  |  May 5, 2011 at 8:08 am

    The other Sen. Brown (Scott Brown, R-MA) eventually voted for DADT repeal – here's hoping he'll also vote for DOMA repeal!

  • 18. Straight Ally #3008  |  May 5, 2011 at 8:10 am

    Brazil? A friend of mine was just complaining how socially conservative that country is. Wow, you think the USA will be among the top 50 countries to approve same-sex marriage, at this rate?

  • 19. Greg  |  May 5, 2011 at 8:10 am

    He should. He represents Massachusetts after all.

  • 20. Joel  |  May 5, 2011 at 8:31 am

    When contacting a government official, are telephone calls given more weight than e-mails?

  • 21. Maggie4NoH8  |  May 5, 2011 at 8:45 am

    From the NOM Blog:

    May 24th state-wide bus tour rally in New York… http://www.nomblog.com/8213/#comments

    Any counter-protesters? Trackers?

    And this nugget:

    "We're there until you need us" targeting King & Spalding…

    More at http://www.werethereuntilyouneedus.com/

    What is the point of this? Any ideas?

  • 22. Maggie4NoH8  |  May 5, 2011 at 8:49 am

    Yep – advocate.com is reporting Brazil has civil unions now…

    Guess Brian and Maggie won't be heading to Rio anytime soon… but I might!!! BOSEG!!! (Big Ol' S*#% Eatin' Grin)

  • 23. Jenny  |  May 5, 2011 at 9:21 am

    Yay glad to see it! Not that I ever had any doubt, but I'm proud to have him as my senator :) Definitely will have to send him a thank you for it

  • 24. Ronnie  |  May 5, 2011 at 9:31 am

    Subscribing….<3…Ronnie

  • 25. Mackenzie  |  May 5, 2011 at 10:03 am

    Looks like Senator McCaskill from MO is not on the list yet. I will be writing a letter and calling her office tomorrow!

  • 26. Elizabeth Oakes  |  May 5, 2011 at 10:21 am

    Parabens to all our Brazilian equality friends and couples!

  • 27. Elizabeth Oakes  |  May 5, 2011 at 10:29 am

    Margie Reilly and her attorney submitting portions of the Magna Charta (sic) in support of Proponents. Mmmm…kay.

  • 28. Dave P  |  May 5, 2011 at 10:41 am

    Yaaay! Another Bus tour!!

    I must admit I really miss those bus tours. Those were friggen AWESOME for our side. Reading about the counter protesters at each stop on the FAILtour was always the highlight of my day,and if it had not been for the second FAILtour out here in California I wouldn't have had the chance to meet some of the P8TTers in person.

    Ready NYC? You GO ! Show 'em how it's done!

  • 29. adambink  |  May 5, 2011 at 11:05 am

    It depends on the recipient. If you're e-mailing the Senator, that is important. If you're e-mailing a blank e-mail, phone is often better. Both are important and worth one's (small) time.

  • 30. adambink  |  May 5, 2011 at 11:05 am

    Do!

  • 31. Kathleen  |  May 5, 2011 at 11:06 am

    UPDATE: Pedersen v. OPM (DOMA case in CT District Court)

    The government defendants responded to the House's motion to intervene: http://www.scribd.com/doc/54741400

    The House BLAG says it intends to Reply to that response. Seems they take issue with the DOJ claiming the house has leave to intervene, but no inherent right to do so: http://www.scribd.com/doc/54741697

    And so it begins…

  • 32. JonT  |  May 5, 2011 at 11:21 am

    'And so it begins…'

    Kosh would be proud Kathleen :)

  • 33. rachelle  |  May 5, 2011 at 11:45 am

    We dont' need to get all 60 on board do we?
    Isn't just a majority we need?

  • 34. JPM  |  May 5, 2011 at 11:57 am

    Barring a miracle, sixty votes will be required to get past a cloture vote on the matter, without which the bill cannot come to a vote.

    For all practical purposes, sixty votes will be needed to pass the bill.

  • 35. rachelle  |  May 5, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    why does it feel like it will never happen?
    Geez, well lets hope it picks up momentum…

  • 36. nightshayde  |  May 5, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    I'm not sure I can find the words to express how I've come to loathe that stupid cloture rule…

  • 37. Straight for Equalit  |  May 5, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    ❀

  • 38. Straight Ally #3008  |  May 5, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    He definitely should. That's if he's being logical.

    To be fair, though, he has distanced himself from the Tea Party/Religious Right zealots.

  • 39. Straight Ally #3008  |  May 5, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    Get on to the bus…that's gonna take you back to Beelzebub.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYjG0PqtUzk

  • 40. Marlene  |  May 5, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    Ohio is lucky to have Sherrod Brown as our senator! I do with it was Jennifer Brunner who ran against Bobby Portman back in November — it would've been SO great to have two (count 'em TWO!) progressives in the Senate!

    I remember when Sherrod visited our Democratic HQ here in Bowling Green, and he wanted a cup of coffee. After visiting the bathroom (which now has been deubbed the Sherrod Brown Memorial Loo!) he was reaching for a foam cup, I kinda slapped his hand and told him that he's going to be our senator and to get used to have people doing things for him like pouring his coffee!

    I'm a HUGE fan and can't wait to see him run again in 2012.

  • 41. Ann S.  |  May 6, 2011 at 2:02 am

    Yes, I quite agree. And then there's the House. While I applaud the efforts on this, this Congress just isn't going to pass repeal of DOMA, I'm afraid.

  • 42. Sagesse  |  May 6, 2011 at 2:34 am

    The way the cloture rule is being used is a travesty. Still, there is a possibility the repeal could pass in the Senate. What will drive the process is a sense either that it is going down on constitutional grounds anyway, or that certain effects (immigration for bi-national couples and benefits to military families) are unacceptable.

    Don't hold out much hope for the House.

  • 43. AB  |  May 7, 2011 at 6:21 pm

    I would write a letter to my Senators, but being from Kansas… yeah, that ain't happenin'.

  • 44. Volunteer Uganda  |  March 20, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    Sherrod Brown has set an example for Senators of other states, mainly Alabama and Virginia!!

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