Historically, the Federal Government has been a leader in offering important benefits to its employees. But today we are lagging behind, and this is particularly true regarding the extension of benefits to employees with same-sex partners.

There is certainly nothing more American than ensuring that people have equal job opportunities and are paid fairly for a full day's work.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Ranking Member Collins, for affording me the opportunity to testify, for having this historic hearing, and for your leadership on the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act.

As it stands, some Federal employees do not receive equal compensation and benefits for their equal contributions.

I strongly believe that we must address the significant inequality in compensation experienced by an estimated 30,000 employees.

We lost an engineering professor to another university that did offer domestic partnership benefits because of his feeling that the lack of those policies was unjust.

The option exists for opposite-sex couples to marry in every State of the Union.

the need to consider providing domestic partners' benefits to Federal employees should also be evaluated in light of the potential positive impacts that such policies can have on the Federal Government's recruitment and retention…

First, principle is at stake. Equality, fair mindedness, and respect for diversity are at the heart of America's identity.

the way this legislation would work in practice recognizes the fact we have Federal employees around the world

the President took an important first step toward addressing these shortfalls when he signed the memorandum last month directing all Federal agencies to extend benefits to same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees to the extent now…

the principles of equality, fairness, and inclusion in the workplace, principles that should be commonplace for the Federal Government as an employer both in theory and in fact.