December 08, 2022

Rep. Correa Votes to Enshrine Marriage Equality Under Federal Law

House bill repeals the Defense of Marriage Act

Washington, DC – Today, amid extreme Republican threats to Americans’ personal freedoms, Rep. Correa voted to send the Respect for Marriage Act to President Biden’s desk.  This landmark legislation takes key steps to defend marriage equality: officially repealing the bigoted and unconstitutional “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) and require states to recognize valid out-of-state marriages.

“Today, I proudly voted to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and protect Americans’ freedom,” said Rep. Correa.  “I will continue to fight, as I always have, to honor the dignity and equality of every American.  Hate and bigotry of any form have no place in America. If the Supreme Court overturns Obergefell v. Hodges, this legislation will still require states to recognize a same sex marriage from another state where it is legal.”

The Respect for Marriage Act will take several steps to protect the inviolability of same-sex and interracial marriages:

  1. 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.
  2. Provide Federal Protection: 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.
  3. 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 to be signed into law.

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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