The Senate Judiciary Committee held the first-ever hearing today on the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that if passed would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and allow the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages.
The Respect for Marriage Act was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).
Today's hearing included testimony from gay marriage supporters, those negatively affected by the current law and advocates urging the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.