Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act
Encyclopedia
The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act or the DPBO Act is a piece of United States legislation that would allow LGBT
federal employees
to give their unrecognized same-sex spouses and partners health insurance
, life insurance
, government pensions, and other employment related benefits and obligations that married heterosexual federal employees enjoy by being married and heterosexual.
(D-WI). The bill garnered 90 cosponsors and was referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties
but was not acted upon.
The Senate version of the bill was also introduced on December 19, 2007, by Sen. Joe Lieberman
(I-CT). The bill was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
of which Lieberman himself was the chair.
A hearing was held on September 24, 2008, with testimony coming from the deputy director of the United States Office of Personnel Management, an executive at IBM
, the president of the National Treasury Employees Union
and two others. Though it garnered 21 Democrats, 1 Republican and 1 Independent as cosponsors, the Senate bill also died when the committee did not vote on it.
(D-WI) & Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
(R-FL) in the House of Representatives
and by Sens. Joe Lieberman
(I-CT) & Susan Collins
(R-ME) in the Senate
. The legislation has 140 cosponsors in the House and 31 in the Senate as of May 27, 2010.
Rep. Barney Frank
(D-MA) was quoted in May 2009 in an interview with the Washington Blade indicating that he believes supporters of the act "have a shot" at passing the bill. On June 17, 2009 President Obama announced his support for the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, which he noted as "crucial legislation that will guarantee these rights for all federal employees."
On November 18, 2009, the bill was reported out of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee by a vote of 23-12. On December 16, 2009, the bill was reported out of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
by an 8-1 vote. Senator Bob Bennett (Junior senator, Utah) was the sole Committee vote against the bill.
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
federal employees
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
to give their unrecognized same-sex spouses and partners health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
, life insurance
Life insurance
Life insurance is a contract between an insurance policy holder and an insurer, where the insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money upon the death of the insured person. Depending on the contract, other events such as terminal illness or critical illness may also trigger...
, government pensions, and other employment related benefits and obligations that married heterosexual federal employees enjoy by being married and heterosexual.
110th Congress
The House version of the bill was originally introduced December 19, 2007 by Rep. Tammy BaldwinTammy Baldwin
Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin is the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district, serving since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party. In September 2011, Baldwin announced she would be a candidate in the 2012 U.S...
(D-WI). The bill garnered 90 cosponsors and was referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties
United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties
The Subcommittee on the Constitution is one of five subcommittees of the United States House Committee on the Judiciary.-Jurisdiction:According to the official website:...
but was not acted upon.
The Senate version of the bill was also introduced on December 19, 2007, by Sen. Joe Lieberman
Joe Lieberman
Joseph Isadore "Joe" Lieberman is the senior United States Senator from Connecticut. A former member of the Democratic Party, he was the party's nominee for Vice President in the 2000 election. Currently an independent, he remains closely affiliated with the party.Born in Stamford, Connecticut,...
(I-CT). The bill was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
The United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has jurisdiction over matters related to the Department of Homeland Security and other homeland security concerns, as well as the functioning of the government itself, including the National Archives, budget and...
of which Lieberman himself was the chair.
A hearing was held on September 24, 2008, with testimony coming from the deputy director of the United States Office of Personnel Management, an executive at IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
, the president of the National Treasury Employees Union
National Treasury Employees Union
The National Treasury Employees Union is an independent labor union representing approximately 150,000 employees of 30 agencies of the United States government...
and two others. Though it garnered 21 Democrats, 1 Republican and 1 Independent as cosponsors, the Senate bill also died when the committee did not vote on it.
111th Congress
The act was reintroduced in the 111th Congress on May 20, 2009. The measure is sponsored by Reps. Tammy BaldwinTammy Baldwin
Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin is the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district, serving since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party. In September 2011, Baldwin announced she would be a candidate in the 2012 U.S...
(D-WI) & Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1989. She is a member of the Republican Party....
(R-FL) in the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and by Sens. Joe Lieberman
Joe Lieberman
Joseph Isadore "Joe" Lieberman is the senior United States Senator from Connecticut. A former member of the Democratic Party, he was the party's nominee for Vice President in the 2000 election. Currently an independent, he remains closely affiliated with the party.Born in Stamford, Connecticut,...
(I-CT) & Susan Collins
Susan Collins
Susan Margaret Collins is the junior United States Senator from Maine and a member of the Republican Party. First elected to the Senate in 1996, she is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs...
(R-ME) in the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. The legislation has 140 cosponsors in the House and 31 in the Senate as of May 27, 2010.
Rep. Barney Frank
Barney Frank
Barney Frank is the U.S. Representative for . A member of the Democratic Party, he is the former chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and is considered the most prominent gay politician in the United States.Born and raised in New Jersey, Frank graduated from Harvard College and...
(D-MA) was quoted in May 2009 in an interview with the Washington Blade indicating that he believes supporters of the act "have a shot" at passing the bill. On June 17, 2009 President Obama announced his support for the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, which he noted as "crucial legislation that will guarantee these rights for all federal employees."
On November 18, 2009, the bill was reported out of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee by a vote of 23-12. On December 16, 2009, the bill was reported out of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
The United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has jurisdiction over matters related to the Department of Homeland Security and other homeland security concerns, as well as the functioning of the government itself, including the National Archives, budget and...
by an 8-1 vote. Senator Bob Bennett (Junior senator, Utah) was the sole Committee vote against the bill.
Legislative history
| Congress | Short title | Bill number(s) | Date introduced | Sponsor(s) | # of cosponsors | Latest status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 111th Congress | Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009 | May 20, 2009 | Tammy Baldwin Tammy Baldwin Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin is the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district, serving since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party. In September 2011, Baldwin announced she would be a candidate in the 2012 U.S... (D-WI) |
140 | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 12. | |
| May 20, 2009 | Joe Lieberman Joe Lieberman Joseph Isadore "Joe" Lieberman is the senior United States Senator from Connecticut. A former member of the Democratic Party, he was the party's nominee for Vice President in the 2000 election. Currently an independent, he remains closely affiliated with the party.Born in Stamford, Connecticut,... (I-CT) |
31 | Ordered to be Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs The United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has jurisdiction over matters related to the Department of Homeland Security and other homeland security concerns, as well as the functioning of the government itself, including the National Archives, budget and... on a 8-1 vote. 16 December 2009. |
|||
| 110th Congress | Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2007 | December 19, 2007 | Tammy Baldwin Tammy Baldwin Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin is the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district, serving since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party. In September 2011, Baldwin announced she would be a candidate in the 2012 U.S... (D-WI) |
90 | Died in the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties | |
| December 19, 2007 | Joe Lieberman Joe Lieberman Joseph Isadore "Joe" Lieberman is the senior United States Senator from Connecticut. A former member of the Democratic Party, he was the party's nominee for Vice President in the 2000 election. Currently an independent, he remains closely affiliated with the party.Born in Stamford, Connecticut,... (I-CT) |
23 | Died in the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs |