[NSDCaucus] Lieberman to Introduce DP Benefits Bill for Gay Fed Workers
Patrick Patin
By Advocate.com Editors
A bill extending benefits to same-sex partners of gay
federal
employees could be introduced on the Senate floor “within weeks,”
according to aides to Senator Joseph Lieberman.
The Washington Post reports that the benefits would cost $310 million through 2020, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates.
Though some Republicans have criticized the
legislation due to its potential cost, Lieberman said on Tuesday, “This
legislation would cost about two-hundredths of a percent of the federal
government’s overall costs for the civilian workforce. That is a very
small price to pay for the improvements we would see in recruitment,
retention, and morale."
A House committee approved a similar a
domestic partner benefits bill in November, though the legislation has
yet to receive a floor vote.
Last year President Barack Obama
signed a memorandum extending certain benefits to partners of federal
employees, though the most substantive benefits, such as most types
health care, were excluded.
Lieberman’s bill is expected to be introduced before July 4.
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