Surely, the public interest requires that these obligations also apply to partners of gay and lesbian office holders.

The passage of H.R. 2517 is essential to accomplishing both of these goals.

He went on to say that, as Americans, we are all affected when our promises of equality go unfulfilled.

President Obama recognized and acknowledged that fact when he signed the memorandum calling it just a start.

I want to make very clear that this bill contains strong antifraud provisions, requiring employees to file an affidavit of eligibility in order to extend benefits to their domestic partners.

Simply put, extending benefits to same-sex partners is a good, practical, bottom-line business decision.

I would associate myself with the comments of Director Berry with regard to this point.

The Federal Government simply does not effectively compete with these companies for every talented person; we fail to offer comparable job benefits to our employees.

Under current law, the Federal Government cannot offer basic benefits like health insurance, life insurance, dental or vision insurance to domestic partners of our gay and lesbian Federal employees.

This critical legislation will provide health, life and survivor benefits to same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees.

Mr. Chairman, I appear before you today both as the lead author of this legislation, but also as a lesbian Federal employee who has been in a committed relationship with my partner, Lauren, for over 13 years.