Dear Friends,

Today, I was proud to vote in favor of the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act in the House of Representatives. This legislation protects same-sex and interracial marriages, ensuring long-term stability for these families by providing important statutory protections under federal law. The bill passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 258-169 and will now go to the desk of President Biden to be signed into law.

The Respect for Marriage Act repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act and requires the federal government to recognize a marriage between two individuals if the marriage was legal in the state in which it was performed. This bill sustains the right of Americans to marry whomever they choose, while at the same time guaranteeing the constitutional rights of those with objections based on conscience or religion. The result was strong bipartisan support in the House and the Senate. 

In Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurrence in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, he called for several cases to be reconsidered – including the case that established marriage equality as an American right. Now, even if the conservative majority on the Supreme Court moves to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, states that choose to ban same-sex marriage must still respect a valid marriage certificate between a same-sex couple.

The Respect for Marriage Act is a monumental step towards preserving the rights of all Americans, but there is still more work to be done. Every American deserves the right to love and marry whomever they choose without fear of retribution or hate. Please be assured that I will continue working to end all forms of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.

Sincerely,

Jim