Contact: J.P. Duffy, Maria Donovan, 866-FRC-NEWS

WASHINGTON, June 17 /Standard Newswire/ -- Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins released the following statement in response to President Obama's expected executive order extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

"President Obama's expected Executive Order extending benefits to homosexual partners appears to be a violation of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and clearly violates the spirit of the federal law which defines marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman as husband and wife. In 1996, DOMA passed overwhelmingly in both the House and Senate and was then signed by President Clinton.

"President Obama's planned Executive Order uses taxpayer money to placate an angry portion of his base at the expense of the rule of law. Ironically, Mr. Obama has pursued an aggressive pro-homosexual agenda - but his actions to date are, apparently, insufficient for the radical homosexuals pushing their extreme demands.

"This order raises the question of whether the President has the authority to ignore DOMA and bypass the legislative process. We will review the order and confer with our legal counsel to determine an appropriate response. President Obama is clearly using this executive order to single out a single group for special preferences.

"However, beyond the potential legal violations, it's troubling that the President would act in response to homosexual groups which are threatening to withdraw from an upcoming fundraiser. Rather than placing politics above the law, he should abide by the Defense of Marriage Act and fulfill his oath to 'faithfully execute the office of President of the United States.'"

Family Research Council: 801 G Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001
P: 202/393-2100 or 800/225-4008  W: frc.org