Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), lead sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), responded to news that House Republican Leaders are tripling taxpayer expenditures for DOMA defense from $500,000 to $1,500,000.

He issued the following statement:

“In the current climate of Republican-sponsored deficit hysteria, draconian spending cuts, and an ongoing recession in which Americans are still awaiting congressional leadership on jobs and mortgage relief, it is shocking and supremely hypocritical for Republican Leadership to spend additional taxpayer dollars on the unwarranted, unconstitutional and unnecessary defense of DOMA.  It seems that the only jobs program the House is creating is one for high-priced lawyers to defend an unconscionable law.

“News of the increased payments to DOMA attorneys reached me today, ironically, during a Republican-chaired hearing on a Balanced Budget Amendment, in which Republicans were addressing the apparent need to cut Social Security benefits and programs for the poor.  Clearly, discriminating against LGBT Americans is a greater priority for them than providing for the welfare of seniors or children.

“Beyond wasting taxpayer dollars, Republican Leadership has exhibited an alarming lack of transparency or good faith in its defense of DOMA, repeatedly ignoring requests for briefings on DOMA defense and refusing to explain to the American people how and for what purpose it is spending the public’s money.”

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