Didn't Obama order benefits for same sex spouses of federal employees?

[TwixVoy]

I recall reading an article that stated Obama had issued an executive order granting benefits to same sex partners of federal employees. I was browsing across the OPM web site and happened to find this page:

http://www.opm.gov/insure/lifeevents/le4a.asp

Why is it that (according to this site) same sex partners are eligible for nothing despite the fact Obama issued an executive order?

[Pirate Smile]

1. Article from earlier: "Obama orders more benefits for same-sex partners of federal workers"

Obama orders more benefits for same-sex partners of federal workers
June 02, 2010|By the CNN Wire Staff

President Barack Obama on Wednesday ordered executive-branch agencies to extend to employees' same-sex partners the same benefits provided to their opposite-sex partners,to the extent allowed by law.

The move followed up on Obama's memorandum last year that extended some benefits to same-sex partners of government workers and ordered federal agencies to review additional benefits that also could be available under existing laws.

"That process has now concluded, and I am proud to announce that earlier today, I signed a memorandum that requires executive agencies to take immediate action to extend to the same-sex domestic partners of federal employees a number of meaningful benefits, from family assistance services to hardship transfers to relocation expenses," Obama said in a statement.

Since taking office in January 2009, Obama has called for the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bans openly gay and lesbian soldiers from military service.
Under criticism from gay rights activists for a lack of progress on the issue, congressional Democrats pushed for legislative action that led to a recent compromise with the White House and the Pentagon on a conditional repeal once the military completes a review on how to implement the change.

The compromise language has passed the House and the Senate Armed Services Committee, with a full Senate vote expected in coming weeks.
The president also has urged Congress to pass the Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act, which would extend family benefits now available to heterosexual federal workers to gay and lesbian federal workers as well.

http://articles.cnn.com/2010-06-02/us/obama.gay.benefits_1_same-sex-partners-federal-workers-benefits?_s=PM:US

[TwixVoy]

4. So in other words this is code

for "I signed an executive order to pay for moving expenses".... because it looks to me like any tangible REAL benefit of any importance (i.e. health insurance) is NOT available in any shape or form.

[Pirate Smile]

8. Things that are prescribed by DOMA, he can't change by an Executive Order.

It reminds me of them changing the terminology on passports to "parent 1" and "parent 2" instead of "Mother" & "Father".

They change what they can through Executive Order or regulations but they are limited by defined statutes in some areas (until those statutes are repealed or overturned).

[CreekDog]

2. benefits are by act of Congress

not executive order.

[leftstreet]

3. so is war n/t

[CreekDog]

5. declarations of war are congressional

unfortunately, that doesn't seem to cover all of them. :eyes:

[Richard Steele]

6. Yes, just like he "ordered" the closing of GITMO....

...and like he ORDERED the British Petroluem Corp
to stop dumping the internationally outlawed carcinogen 'Corexit' into
the Gulf of Mexico.....

In all those cases, 'President' Obama has issued direct orders,
and those orders have been LAUGHED AT and ignored..
All those cases, and many more...

Wake up and smell the KKKoffee, TwixVoy:
Obama is a puppet who controls NOTHING,
and that whole "DEMOCRACY" thing
we learned about in grade school
isn't a real thing anymore.

[Hoopla Phil]

7. Just like the emancipation proclamation didn't actually free any slaves.

It took a constitutional amendment to do that.