The entire article this is taken from is good reading and includes video, but the highlighted section (emphasis mine) highlights the issue pretty well.

Sensenbrenner’s argument that “everyone deserves a lawyer” may be noble, but it is also hypocritical. Republicans have recently stripped nearly $16 million from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which defends tenants against slum lords, helps women obtain court orders against abusive husbands, protects consumers against exploitative lenders, or to otherwise provides legal representation to Americans who can’t afford it. As Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) quipped, “I’m delighted to hear the observation of the gentleman from Wisconsin — that everyone is entitled to a lawyer — and I look forward to his support of greatly increased appropriations for legal services and legal aid so that people who need lawyers in this country can get it.”

The House has lawyers, just as the DOJ has lawyers. They really didn’t need to go out and hire a more fancy lawyer and agree to pay him about half a million dollars.

What’s most troubling however, is the level of political game play going on here. Sensenbrenner’s comments about the President are said for for the sound bite value, and have no basis in the truth.

the President has decided to usurp the function of Congress in making laws which a former president has signed and also to usurp the function of the courts by saying that this law is unconstitutional when that’s not his job.

Lower courts ruled section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional. The President merely accepted the court’s ruling. If that is usurping the courts, then we live in a pretty mixed up world. Unless Sensenbrenner is suggesting that every case ever tried must always be taken all the way to the Supreme Court?

via Wonk Room » GOP To Eric Holder: We Will Cut Off DOJ Funding Over Obama’s Decision Not To Defend DOMA.