Congresswoman Baldwin has recommended it be filed with OPM.

That would be very welcome.

I think additional clarity, because of the progress being made in a number of States, is warranted.

I would hope that the fact that literally thousands of private sector corporations and State and local units of government have seen fit to enact domestic partnership registries and offer employment benefits would give some comfort.

I regard this very much as an issue of equal compensation for equal work where we have identified a glaring discrepancy based merely on sexual orientation.

I, in no way, view this measure, as limited as it is, as a way to replicate marriage by another name.

We lag behind in the fact that the Federal Government does not offer these employment benefits.

These provisions have been specifically added as strong fraud prevention language.

correcting a longstanding injustice which has resulted in some Federal workers not receiving equal pay for equal work.

Marriage by another name is of concern to me and I think the majority of Americans.

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.