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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Has Same-Sex Marriage Lost Its Political Power?

    In 1996, Congress passed the " Defense of Marriage Act ," which limited marriage to a man and a woman. In 2004, state ballot measures on same-sex marriage helped turn out Republican voters. In the first few months of his administration, President Obama's Justice Department supported DOMA.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    In 1996, Congress passed the "Defense of Marriage Act," which limited marriage to a man and a woman. In 2004, state ballot measures on same-sex marriage helped turn out Republican voters. In the first few months of his administration, President Obama's Justice Department supported DOMA. But last month, Attorney General Eric Holder called the law indefensible on constitutional grounds. So, where are the Republicans now? Members of Congress and potential presidential candidates have focused almost entirely on enforcing the law, but not on same-sex marriage itself. Have they decided that "it's the Economy, stupid," after all? We look at the law---and the politics.

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Obama Won't Defend the Defense of Marriage Act
    1. 0:00Unemployment Dips to 8.9 Percent, a Nearly Two-Year Low
    2. 7:48Has Same-Sex Marriage Lost Its Political Power? You’re reading this
    3. 44:54Are Americans Confused About What They Care About?
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Darrell Satzman

      Producer

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Michael D. Shear

      New York Times

    • KCRW placeholder

      Walter Dellinger

      former Assistant Attorney General and Solicitor General

    • KCRW placeholder

      David Rivkin

      BakerHostetler

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Obama Won't Defend the Defense of Marriage Act
    1. 0:00Unemployment Dips to 8.9 Percent, a Nearly Two-Year Low
    2. 7:48Has Same-Sex Marriage Lost Its Political Power? You’re reading this
    3. 44:54Are Americans Confused About What They Care About?
    Back to To the Point