A federal appeals court that covers Vermont, New York and Connecticut says the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional.

A Justice Department lawyer has been forced by a federal appeals panel in New York to explain the government's decision to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act.

Vermont is joining with New York and Connecticut in filing a brief urging a federal court to strike down the law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell says the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, denies same-sex couples of a wide range of federal benefits.

Sen. Patrick Leahy is hailing President Barack Obama's support for legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and have the federal government grant legal recognition to married same-sex couples.

Congressman Peter Welch says the time has come to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act - a law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

Senator Patrick Leahy says the federal government should recognize same-sex marriages and repeal a law that prohibits such recognition. Leahy voted for the law 16 years ago. But as VPR's Ross Sneyd reports, he says he wouldn't do the same today.