The New York Times today reported that the administration has cited a 1996 law, the Defense of Marriage Act act prevents it from providing health insurance to the same-sex partners of federal employees.

Reacting to a rising tide of anger from gay and lesbian supporters at a series of slights and deferred promises, President Obama will tomorrow sign an executive order extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees...

Alan Van Capelle, Executive Director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, the New York State gay rights group offerred Politico a more sardonic view, "Welcome to 1999, How revolutionary of the White House to give benefits to same-sex couples, when two-thirds of conservative Wall Street are already doing it. What an achievement."

"It's just one of the things that should have been done in January," "If the President makes the announcement... it will still fall short of what glbt people are expecting from this administration."

The action by the White House comes after weeks of outrage by gay and lesbian activist and media that came to a full boil over the weekend when it became known that the administration had decided to file a legal brief supporting the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act.

The brief, filed in federal court last week, was in response to a lawsuit arguing that the marriage act is unconstitutional.

A White House spokesman said that it was standard practice for the administration to back laws that are challenged in court — even those it does not agree with — and that the president “wants to see a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.”

The Times reported that the timing of the announcement was intended to help contain the growing furor among gay rights groups. Several gay donors withdrew their sponsorship of a Democratic National Committee fund-raising event next week, where Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. is scheduled to speak. —Tim Moran