Washington–Legislation authored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is scheduled to receive its first-ever markup in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee in November.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will examine Feinstein’s Respect for Marriage Act (S. 598), a bill to repeal DOMA from federal law and provide legally married, same-sex couples the same federal benefits, rights and privileges as all married Americans.

“I’m very pleased to learn that Senator Leahy, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, will put the repeal of DOMA before the full committee for a vote next month,” said Senator Feinstein. “Striking DOMA would allow all legally married, same sex couples to have the same rights that other married couples have. No more, no less. This is simply equal protection under the law.”

The Respect for Marriage Act is co-sponsored by 30 members of the U.S. Senate and supported by President Barack Obama.

A markup session is the process by which congressional committees debate, amend and rewrite proposed legislation before it is considered by the full Senate.

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