SLDN Asserts Boehner Has No Authority to Intervene in DOMA Case
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, with co-counsel Chadbourne & Parke, is opposing a motion filed by Speaker of the House John Boehner’s so-called Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (BLAG) seeking to intervene for the purposes of defending DOMA and the definition of spouse in Title 38 in the case, McLaughlin v. U.S., which seeks equal recognition, support, and benefits for gay and lesbian service members and veterans. In documents filed today with the court, SLDN asserts that BLAG does not have standing to intervene in the case.
“The Obama Administration has wisely decided not to defend these unconstitutional and discriminatory laws that hurt military families, and Speaker Boehner is attempting to appoint himself to a role that is expressly reserved to the executive branch of our government. We intend to fight the interference of the Speaker in this matter,” said Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis.
Last week, SLDN fired back at Boehner for his attempt to intervene in the case.
“Speaker Boehner’s request to defend this case in the wake of the ongoing harm done to military families by these discriminatory laws is reprehensible and callous. The Speaker has turned a deaf ear to the urgent pleas of service members who are living with the day-to-day realities of a military that has been forced to create two classes of service members,” said Sarvis.
