It is unconscionable to legislate discrimination, and I cannot condone the use of taxpayer dollars to defend a discriminatory law at ANY time -especially when these senseless cuts have placed an even greater burden on the operations and effectiveness of this chamber.
Thank you Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz for holding this hearing.
I would like to welcome and thank the witnesses for your testimony this morning. I appreciate the opportunity to hear about your agencies' needs, which are so crucial to the effectiveness of Congress.
I know we can all agree that the effects of sequestration are already being felt right here on Capitol Hill, and I am concerned about the impact that these indiscriminate cuts will have on the security and operations of the House of Representatives.
At a time when other legislative branch agencies are forced to furlough employees or reduce services, it is both disappointing and frankly perplexing that $3 million dollars in taxpayer money is going towards the protection of the Defense of Marriage Act - a law that multiple federal courts and appellate courts have determined is unconstitutional.
I myself find it unconscionable that we would legislate discrimination, and I cannot condone the use of taxpayer dollars to defend a discriminatory law at ANY time -especially when these senseless cuts have placed an even greater burden on the operations and effectiveness of this chamber.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
