{NY} McMahon mulls backing marriage equality bill

By Judy L. Randall

November 30, 2009, 11:59PM

Rep. Michael McMahon on Monday said he's thinking of signing on to a bill that would rescind the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which declares marriage must be between a man and a woman. He said he'll make up his mind by year's end.

The repeal, called the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA), would grant the same rights and benefits under federal law to all married couples, including same-sex couples.

Under DOMA, which passed in 1996, legally married same-sex couples cannot file joint tax returns; take unpaid leave to care for a sick or injured spouse; receive spousal benefits under Social Security or health and pension benefits if they are federal civilian employees.

McMahon said he thought it likely DOMA would be repealed by the House, but couldn't predict what might happen in the Senate.

McMahon (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) said he is disposed to support RMA, introduced by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan), and said he had discussed it with Nadler two weeks ago.

McMahon made his comments during a meeting with members of Staten Island's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in his New Dorp office. He told them he was also positively disposed to three other pieces of legislation they favor, but wants to review the fine print before signing on.....

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