Marriage-equality advocates scored a victory when U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro in Boston struck down a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the 1996 federal law signed by President Bill Clinton banning the recognition of same-sex marriage by the federal government, as unconstitutional. “This court has determined that it is clearly within the authority of the Commonwealth to recognize same-sex marriages among its residents, and to afford those individuals in same-sex marriages any benefits, rights, and privileges to which they are entitled by virtue of their marital status,” Tauro wrote.
Now marriage-equality groups are bracing for a battle if the U.S. Department of Justice appeals. Justice Department spokesperson Tracy Schmaler said the administration was “reviewing the decision” and had not yet determined whether or not to pursue a defense of the law in court, reports ABC News.
But according to Politico.com, “lawyers on various sides of the issue said it was a certainty that the government will appeal and likely that the cases will reach the Supreme Court.”
