Washington - Today the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, strongly criticized Speaker John Boehner for endorsing a right-wing plan to defund part of the Department of Justice because of the Obama Administration's thoughtful analysis that the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. The Speaker made his position known in response to a letter from Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi who had originally questioned the cost of the House's intervention in the cases. Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese issued the following statement:

"The House Republican Leadership continues to show that they're more interested in scoring cheap political points on the backs of same-sex couples than tackling real problems. As Americans across the country continue to struggle, Speaker Boehner's prescription has been to keep families he doesn't like from accessing needed protections. To add insult to injury, he's now signed on to a right-wing plan to cut funding for the Department of Justice.

"A far right fringe may be calling for a defense of DOMA, but doing so is sure to turn off independent voters. If the Speaker wants to make the lives of Americans better, he should spearhead repeal of DOMA, not waste time and resources defending it."

It is also expected that the House Republican Leadership will officially seek to intervene today in a New York case challenging the constitutionality of DOMA.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.