A U.S. Senate panel on Wednesday approved legislation that would allow same-sex partners of federal employees to receive employment benefits.
The bill — Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (DPBO) — was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on a voice vote.
The bill would provide benefits for same-sex domestic partners of federal civilian employees on the same basis as spousal benefits, including participation in retirement programs, life and health insurance benefits, and family and medical leave.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), the bill’s chief sponsor, said the bill “has nothing to do with same-sex marriage,” and called the timing of the hearing — exactly one week after President Obama’s announcement supporting marriage equality — coincidental.
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