On Tuesday, despite two New Jersey Republicans in Congress voting against the Respect for Marriage Act, President Joe Biden signed the landmark marriage equality bill into law, enshrining marriage equality protections for Americans.
The two New Jersey Republicans were among the 169 GOP representatives and 36 GOP senators who voted against the Respect for Marriage Act – despite more than 70% of Americans supporting same sex-marriage, including a majority of Republicans.
While President Biden and Democrats are advocating and fighting for Americans’ freedom to marry who they love, the fact that the majority of Republicans in Congress – including Reps. Jeff Van Drew and Chris Smith from here in New Jersey – refused to support these protections for marriage equality is yet another reminder of just how out of touch and extreme Republicans’ MAGA agenda is.
“The bipartisan passage of the Respect for Marriage Act into law is the next landmark step in the ongoing and seemingly never-ending march towards equality for LGBTQ people,” said NJDSC LBTQ+ Caucus Chair, Lauren Albrecht. “The bill, while somewhat less-comprehensive than what we had hoped for as advocates, is important as a signal that LGBTQ equality is supported by all sides of the political spectrum, which is simultaneously a victory and a constant reminder that our rights are always up for debate in a way that many others are not. We’re grateful to the coalition of steadfast sponsors of this Bill for their tireless dedication to seeing this signed.”
“Millions of interracial and LGBTQI+ couples will soon be able to enjoy freedom without worry of what the Supreme Court will do next. This is an important step to ensuring a fair, just and equitable America for all,” added Black Caucus Chair T. Missy Balmir and Vice-Chair Eash Haughton.
— Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr.
P.S. The first day of Hanukkah is this Sunday, December 18th and on behalf of NJDSC, I want to extend our warmest wishes to our New Jersey Jewish community for a happy and healthy holiday season. This holiday is an important reminder for all of us that light will always prevail over darkness.