Posts Tagged As: Chuck Schumer

Schumer Argues for LGBT Incusion in Immigration Reform

Jim Burroway

March 19th, 2010

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)Kerry Eleveld at The Advocate reports that Sen Charles Schumer (D-NY) sent a letter to some of his LGBT constituents in New York indicating that he would support provisions uniting LGBT families in comprehensive immigration reform:

The failure to recognize permanent partners in the application for legal permanent residency is a major concern for many Americans. I share this concern and am a cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act of 2009, which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents. I support this principle of immigration reform and I am working on introducing a comprehensive package that would address this issue along with a host of immigration issues, including a pathway to legalization, the future flow of immigrants and border enforcement measures.

He added that he believes the only way to enact meaningful reform is through comprehensive legislation rather than piecemeal bills.

Update: While Schumer’s support for UAFA is welcome, BTB’s Gabriel Arana notes several problems with proposed immigration reforms in general.

Two Senators On Marriage

Jim Burroway

October 28th, 2009

Sen. Arlen SpecterArlen Specter (D-PA) wrote this in the Huffington Post:

The time has come to repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Enacted 13 years ago when the idea of same sex marriage was struggling for acceptance, the Act is a relic of a more tradition-bound time and culture.

Connecticut, Iowa, and Massachusetts have already passed laws recognizing same sex marriage and other states are moving in that direction. The states are the proper forum to address this divisive social and moral issue, not the Federal Government with a law that attempts to set one national standard for marriage.

Sen. Specter also went on to defend the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, and call for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” as well as the enactment of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Sen. Chuck SchumerSen Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also spoke out last week on marriage:

If Dick Cheney can support marriage, so can every Senator. So can every Democrat, Republican, Liberal Conservative,” Schumer told the Empire State Pride Agenda. “Equality should know no bounds, and we must not rest until we have marriage in all fifty of these United States.”

    

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Daniel Fetty Doesn’t Count

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