Justice Dept applies same-sex rights to itself

In an assertion of same-sex marriage rights, Attorney General Eric Holder is applying a landmark Supreme Court ruling to the Justice Department.

The attorney general says same-sex spouses cannot be compelled to testify against each other, should be eligible to file for bankruptcy jointly and are entitled to the same rights and privileges as federal inmates in opposite-sex marriages.

The attorney general says that in every federal courthouse and in every proceeding where Justice Department employees stand, they will ensure that same-sex marriages receive the same privileges, protections and rights as opposite-sex marriages under federal law.

On Monday, the Justice Department will issue a policy memo to its employees instructing them to give lawful same-sex marriages full and equal recognition, to the greatest extent possible under the law.