Washington, DC –
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s signing of a presidential memorandum extending some employment benefits to same-sex domestic partners of federal employees.

“I view President Obama’s move to grant benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees as an issue of basic fairness.
  However, as President Obama noted, his attempt to resolve the present inequality is thwarted from being complete by current law. As an original co-sponsor of S. 1102, the

Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009
, I commend President Obama for endorsing this important legislation, which would extend the full spectrum of benefits to same-sex domestic partners, including health insurance and survivor benefits that currently are available to married spouses of federal employees.

“Beyond the inherent need to treat all of our employees fairly and with the same respect for their families, the federal government is trailing behind the private sector in recognizing the importance of extending benefits to domestic partners of its employees. This is a critical time for our country and our government, which requires we do all we can to attract and retain the best and brightest in service to our nation.”

Currently, there are more than 112,000 federal employees who work in Maryland for Cabinet-level and independent agencies.