Under federal law, marriage is the union between one man and one woman. This bill would grant benefits to domestic partners defined as "an adult unmarried person living with another adult unmarried person of the same sex in a committed, intimate relationship."

Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America, stated, "At a time when Congress should be cutting spending, irresponsible congressmen find a way not only to spend more of our money but also insult their constituents and belittle marriage.  Time after time Americans vote to uphold marriage as one man and one woman. Yet this bill will spend federal funds to elevate relationships outside of marriage as if they are the same as a legal marriage. It demeans the importance of marriage and is an absolutely inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars.

"Marriage is a unique relationship that provides social benefits to children and society. No other arrangement can replace marriage, even by a vote of congressmen.

"Even after the country is, as Barack Obama said, 'out of money,' this bill would spend taxpayers' money on a policy that demeans marriage."

A House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee approved H.R. 2517, sponsored by Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin).

Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.