Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz is taking a stand against benefits for the partners of gay federal workers.
Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., is sponsoring a bill that would give equal health insurance and retirement benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees.
Chaffetz spoke up during the bill's first hearing Wednesday, saying he's in favor of preserving traditional marriage.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports Chaffetz called the legislation discriminatory against heterosexual couples that choose not to marry.
Chaffetz told KSL Newsradio that during the hearing, support tended to be along party lines, with Republicans against it and Democrats in favor.
Chaffetz is the ranking Republican on the House subcommittee that oversees the federal work force.
Earlier this year, Chaffetz wanted to overturn the District of Columbia's move to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com