Most Oppose Republican DOMA Defense

Fifty-four percent of Americans polled by the Human Rights Campaign said they oppose House Republicans' decision to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in federal court, after President Barack Obama announced his administration would cease to argue to uphold the antigay law.

Overall, 51% of voters said they opposed DOMA, while 34% favor it. At least 55% of Americans said same-sex couples deserve to participate in the same federal benefits afforded to heterosexual married couples, such as Social Security survivor benefits, federal employee health insurance, medical emergency housing protection, and joint tax filing.

Among those polled, 54% said jobs and the economy were the most important issues the country faces, with Medicare, Social Security, and education following. Five percent said marriage equality was the most pressing issue the nation faced.

"Americans are clamoring for Congress to deal with jobs and the economy," HRC president Joe Solmonese said in a statement Tuesday. "This new poll shows that House Republican leaders take their eye off the economic ball at their own peril."