Dems Criticize GOP Support of Fed Marriage Act

Democrats say the cost to taxpayers for a House Republican decision to fund the legal team supporting federal law governing same sex marriage has climbed from $500,000 to as much as $3 million.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says it was "disappointing and unworthy" that Republicans unilaterally increased funds for the legal defense of the Defense of Marriage Act now being considered by the Supreme Court. The court is deciding whether to strike down parts of the 1996 law that deny married gay couples the federal benefits available to other couples.

Shortly after the administration of President Barack Obama in early 2011 declared that DOMA was not constitutional, House Republicans used their majority to authorize $500,000 to defend the law. That sum has increased as the case dragged on.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)