WASHINGTON, D.C., July 24, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – Although same-sex “marriage” is not recognized by the federal government, President Barack Obama has continued to change federal benefit regulations to grant unmarried homosexuals the same rights as married couples. The purpose of the regulations is “to ensure same-sex domestic partners are treated as family members” and “have access to these benefits to the same extent as spouses of Federal employees and their children.”
The Obama administration has imposed a series of new government rules extending federal benefits to the same-sex partners and stepchildren of unmarried homosexuals, but not unmarried heterosexuals.
One controversial proposed rule would allow the children of same-sex partners to remain on federal workers’ taxpayer-funded insurance until they turn 26.
The last regulatory change was accomplished by “tweaking” the federal definition of the word “stepchild.”
The government is accepting comments on the proposed measure until September 18.
Another new rule grants “same-sex domestic partners,” “former same-sex domestic partners,” and “persons with whom the employee or Member has agreed to enter into a same-sex domestic partnership” an insurable interest in the homosexual partner.
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Others extend federal coverage for child care to “children of same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees,” presumably from a previous heterosexual union;
or make domestic partners eligible for pay and perks available to married couples.
The Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) explained these benefits are available only to homosexual cohabitants rather than heterosexual ones, because “marriage is not an option for same-sex couples wishing to obtain federal benefits.”
The federal diktats were written in accordance with President Obama’s June 2, 2010, memorandum on the “Extension of Benefits to Same-Sex Domestic Partners of Federal Employees.”
President Obama has publicly endorsed same-sex “marriage,” and has been known to implement his agenda through executive orders or other federal regulations when one of his favored bills cannot pass Congress.
The regulations follow a familiar pattern of executive power. In January, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) adopted a rule forcing all landlords who accept Section 8 to rent to homosexual and transgender individuals by redefining the word “family.”
The new benefits will pad the bottom line of already generous federal worker benefits. Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute found, “In 2010, federal workers enjoyed average benefits of $42,462, which compared to average benefits in the U.S. private sector of just $10,771.” Federal workers’ pay rose faster than that of private sector workers in 2011, and they have suffered less income decline than private sector employees since the recession.
Earlier this year, President Obama suggested that the insurance premiums that military retirees pay to Tricare increase 300 percent. Some retired veterans will pay five-times more money for their health benefits.
Contact Information:
Readers may submit respectful comments using the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Or submit their comments by FAX at (202) 606-4640 Attn: Marguerite Martel.
Or submit written comments to:
Marguerite Martel, Senior Policy Analyst, Planning and Policy Analysis,
U.S. Office of Personnel Management,
Room 3415,
1900 E Street NW.,
Washington, DC
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marguerite Martel; at
[email protected] or (202) 606-0004.