I believe it's discriminatory, I think it interferes with States' rights, and we will work with Congress to overturn it.
Barack Obama: “I believe it's discriminatory, I think it interferes with States' rights, and we will work with Congress to overturn it.”
On the recordJune 16, 2009
Source
presidency.ucsb.eduEditor's note · Context
Remarks on Signing a Memorandum on Federal Benefits and Non-Discrimination
Share
More from Barack Obama
Jun 19, 2026
We’ve now fought a war, spent billions and billions of dollars, you know, put enormous strain on our military. A lot of people have died. And it feels like we’re back where we were before we started the war, except maybe a little bit worse…
Jun 19, 2026
Every president here today, as different as we are, has tried our best to uphold the values that John McCain and Mitt Romney believed in no less than I did.
Jun 21, 2026
Of course, we did not accomplish everything we set out to do. No administration does. Some of the exhibits reflect unfinished business, in some cases, my own shortcomings and mistakes, in some cases because - as a sign I kept on the…





