Rep. Alma Adams Votes to Enshrine Marriage Equality Under Federal Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 8, 2022) – Today, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) voted to send the Respect for Marriage Act to President Biden’s desk. This landmark legislation defends marriage equality by 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.
“Today, I proudly voted for marriage equality. Our Democratic Congress is fighting to honor the dignity and equality of every American,” said Rep. Adams. “The Respect for Marriage Act sends a clear signal that hate and bigotry have no place in our public square, or our government institutions. This bill will uphold marriage equality under federal law by ending DOMA, enshrining same-sex and mixed-race married couples’ 14th Amendment right to equal protection, and barring rogue officials from invalidating out-of-state marriages. While we still have a ways to go to protect the health, safety, and dignity of all LGBTQ Americans, this is a major step forward. As the Dobbs decision has shown us, we can’t sleep on Equality.”
Background
Since the Republican-appointed Supreme Court’s deeply unpopular Dobbs decision, state-level Republicans across the country have set their sights on other basic personal freedoms. In his concurring opinion, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas explicitly called for the Court to reconsider its Obergefell decision upholding marriage equality.
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.
Previously passed by the House earlier this year, the Respect for Marriage Act was amended and advanced by the Senate last week. With today’s vote in the House, the final bill now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.
The Respect for Marriage Act is strongly supported by leading advocacy organizations, including the ACLU, Center for American Progress, Equality Federation, Family Equality, Freedom for All Americans, GLAD, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Women’s Law Center and PFLAG.
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