The Hill News

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is thrilled the Obama administration has decided to stand down on the Defense of Marriage Act.

Pelosi â€" a staunch supporter of gay rights â€" said on Twitter that the administration will no longer defend the law because the president believes key parts of it are unconstitutional.

Thrilled @TheJusticeDept is no longer defending an indefensible statute-all American families should be treated equally! #DOMA

On Wednesday, Attorney General Eric Holder said Obama informed him to stop defending the law, which says that states that do not recognize same-sex marriages do not have to honor those formed in other states.

The law, which was signed by President Bill Clinton, says that the federal government defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.