James Moran: “the bill that is before us says no Federal funds can be used to implement the D.C. Health Benefits Act, an act that was…”

“the bill that is before us says no Federal funds can be used to implement the D.C. Health Benefits Act, an act that was passed back in 1992. Since that act was passed, 113 other local cities have implemented the same domestic partnership legislation, cities like Atlanta, Albany, Chicago, New Orleans, and New York. They did it because their constituents wanted it. D.C.'s elected city council understands its constituents, has asked them to pass this legislation. But it is not just municipal governments. Corporations like IBM, AT&T, Boeing, Citigroup, they have the same domestic partnership policy. It does not do exclusively what has been suggested. It applies to every situation where you have caring people living together, and in many cases providing for the other person. Mr. Chairman, in so many households in D.C., we have a grandmother and a mother taking care of the children. We have disabled people, and their live-in care provider would be able to purchase health insurance. We have two sisters living together, two elderly people who cannot marry for economic reasons. They should be able to purchase health insurance at their own expense. At their own expense. There is no Federal Government money involved here. Keep the bill the way it is. Defeat the Weldon amendment.”