Congress paves way for D.C. same-sex benefits

WASHINGTON — The District of Columbia will be able to implement a program making health benefits available to the same-sex partners of its employees for the first time under legislation approved by Congress.

Both the Senate and House of Representatives passed conference reports on the D.C. appropriations bill for 2002. The funding legislation includes a measure permitting the district to finance a program providing health benefits to the domestic partners of D.C. employees.

The Senate voted 79-20 for the spending bill Dec. 7. The House approved the legislation with a 302-84 vote Dec. 6.

The final version, however, excluded a proposal that would have permitted D.C. funds to be used for needle-exchange programs. It also included an amendment to restrict the use of funds to abolish the Boy Scouts of America’s policy barring homosexual troop leaders.