REP LIEU PRAISES PASSAGE OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY LAW
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after the House voted to send the Respect for Marriage Act to President Biden's desk. This landmark legislation takes several key steps to defend marriage equality: officially repealing the bigoted and unconstitutional "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA), upholding couples' right to equal protection under federal law and requiring states to recognize valid out-of-state marriages.
"It was my honor to vote today in favor of landmark legislation to ensure marriage equality for all. The Respect for Marriage Act is a full-throated rejection of MAGA Republicans' efforts to turn back the clock on progress and impose minority rule on Americans. The vast majority of Americans agree: married couples of any sexual orientation, gender identity or race are entitled to equal protection under the law. In a time where MAGA extremists want to take away basic personal freedoms, Democrats are committed to fighting for the people and protecting sacred liberties. I can't wait to watch President Biden sign this bill into law."
The Respect for Marriage Act will take several steps to protect the inviolability of same-sex and interracial marriages:
- Repealing the "Defense of Marriage Act": While the Supreme Court has effectively voided DOMA, this unconstitutional and discriminatory federal law still remains on the books. The Respect for Marriage Act will repeal this statute once and for all.
- Enshrining Marriage Equality Into Federal Law: This legislation will uphold married couples' right to equal protection in all areas covered under federal law, such as Social Security, tax filings and veterans' benefits.
- Barring Discrimination By State Officials: This legislation prohibits state officials from denying recognition of an out-of-state marriage on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity or national origin.
###