CNN's GUT CHECK for June 26, 2013
CNN's GUT CHECK | for June 26, 2013 | 5 p.m.
– n. a pause to assess the state, progress or condition of the political news cycle
DOMA IS DEAD: Gays and lesbians celebrated historic gains Wednesday in their fight against laws limiting same-sex marriages, saying Supreme Court rulings overturning the federal Defense of Marriage Act and rejecting the appeal of a California marriage ban represent a “joyous milestone.” – Michael Pearson
OBAMA “HISTORIC” LEGACY WATCH: President Obama in a written statement: “I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. This was discrimination enshrined in law. It treated loving, committed gay and lesbian couples as a separate and lesser class of people. The Supreme Court has righted that wrong, and our country is better off for it. We are a people who declared that we are all created equal – and the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”
DOLAN “TRAGIC” CATHOLIC WATCH: “Today is a tragic day for marriage and our nation,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “The Supreme Court has dealt a profound injustice to the American people by striking down in part the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The Court got it wrong. The federal government ought to respect the truth that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, even where states fail to do so.”
Boies promises national push for same-sex marriage
Washington (CNN) - In the wake of Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling effectively allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry in California, one of the key attorneys who led the legal fight against the state's ban on same-sex marriage told CNN it will open the door to push same-sex marriages in other states.
"I think no court can now uphold discriminatory laws that prohibit gay and lesbian citizens from marrying. I think that all of those laws are going to be held unconstitutional, justifying the principle that the Supreme Court articulated today," David Boies told CNN Chief Political Analyst Gloria Borger.
FULL POST
Duckworth rips witness over veterans disability claim
(CNN) - Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran and double-amputee, lambasted a witness during a congressional hearing Wednesday, accusing him of "gaming the system" for federal veterans benefits.
The witness, Braulio Castillo, had come under scrutiny from the House Oversight and Government Reform committee for allegedly claiming veteran disability status as a way to gain an advantage in contracting bids for the Internal Revenue Service.
FULL POST
Senate takes another step toward passing immigration reform
Washington (CNN) - A compromise amendment intended to ease congressional passage of sweeping immigration legislation easily won Senate approval Wednesday.
The 69-29 vote set up a procedural motion immediately afterward to limit debate on the roughly 1,200-page bill, which would provide an eventual path to citizenship for millions of immigrants living illegally in the country.
FULL STORY
Obama directs Cabinet to implement marriage ruling
(CNN) – The Supreme Court ruling Wednesday that gutted the federal ban on same sex marriage elicited strongly divided responses from political leaders and advocates, a reflection of the broad disagreements that remain on the issue despite its growing acceptance among Americans.
President Barack Obama, who announced a year ago he supported same-sex marriage, said in a statement he was asking members of his administration to review "all relevant federal statutes" to ensure the Wednesday's decision is implemented "swiftly and smoothly." But conservatives vowed to continue their efforts to ban gays and lesbians from marrying, casting the rulings as a setback - but not an end - to their fight.
FULL POST
Obama's full statement on same-sex marriage ruling
(CNN) - Responding to Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling giving historic wins to same sex marriage supporters, President Barack Obama released the following statement:
"I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. This was discrimination enshrined in law. It treated loving, committed gay and lesbian couples as a separate and lesser class of people. The Supreme Court has righted that wrong, and our country is better off for it. We are a people who declared that we are all created equal – and the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.This ruling is a victory for couples who have long fought for equal treatment under the law; for children whose parents’ marriages will now be recognized, rightly, as legitimate; for families that, at long last, will get the respect and protection they deserve; and for friends and supporters who have wanted nothing more than to see their loved ones treated fairly and have worked hard to persuade their nation to change for the better.
So we welcome today’s decision, and I’ve directed the Attorney General to work with other members of my Cabinet to review all relevant federal statutes to ensure this decision, including its implications for Federal benefits and obligations, is implemented swiftly and smoothly.
On an issue as sensitive as this, knowing that Americans hold a wide range of views based on deeply held beliefs, maintaining our nation’s commitment to religious freedom is also vital. How religious institutions define and consecrate marriage has always been up to those institutions. Nothing about this decision – which applies only to civil marriages – changes that.
The laws of our land are catching up to the fundamental truth that millions of Americans hold in our hearts: when all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free."
Supreme Court dismisses Calif. Prop 8 appeal
Washington (CNN) - The Supreme Court has dismissed a closely-watched appeal over same-sex marriage on jurisdictional grounds, ruling Wednesday private parties do not have "standing" to defend California's voter-approved ballot measure barring gay and lesbians couples from state-sanctioned wedlock.
The ruling permits same-sex couples in California to legally marry.
FULL STORY
Initial reaction on ruling from Obama: 'Historic step forward'
(CNN) - President Barack Obama's Twitter account offered an initial reaction to Wednesday's ruling deeming a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.
His communications director previewed further reaction later today.
Supreme Court strikes down controversial DOMA provision
Washington (CNN) - The Supreme Court has struck down a key provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, ruling that same-sex spouses legally married in a state may receive federal benefits.
The case examines whether the federal government can deny tax, health and pension benefits to same-sex couples in states where they can legally marry. At issue is whether DOMA violates equal protection guarantees in the Fifth Amendment's due process clause as applied to same-sex couples legally married under the laws of their states.
FULL STORY
Waiting for the Supreme Court to rule on 2 cases concerning same-sex marriage
(CNN) - Here are developments as the Supreme Court considers two cases concerning same-sex marriage.
It's set to be the last public day of the Supreme Court session, and we're waiting for opinions in three cases - two of which address same-sex marriage.
It's widely expected that we'll get rulings on the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California's Proposition 8, and those rulings could affect the lives, rights and finances of millions of Americans.
FULL STORY
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