Political Quotes

“I rise today to introduce a bill to fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, and ensure that married same-sex couples are accorded equal treatment by the federal government. When I first introduced this bill in 2011, only 5 States and the District of Columbia recognized same-sex marriage. Today, due to a combination of actions by legislatures, voters, and the courts, 36 States and D.C. recognize same-sex marriage. Florida joined the group just this week. This progress is nothing short of amazing. Over 70 percent of Americans now live in a State where same-sex couples can marry. The Supreme Court's landmark decision in United States v. Windsor, which struck down Section 3 of DOMA, has caused most federal agencies to accord equal rights and responsibilities to married same-sex couples. But, despite this progress, the mission of ensuring full equality under Federal law for married same-sex couples is still unaccomplished. This bill will accomplish that mission. It will strike DOMA from Federal law, and ensure that legally married same-sex couples are treated equally by the federal government, period. I want to thank my 41 colleagues who have cosponsored this bill. For my colleagues who have not yet supported this bill: if you believe that couples who are married should be treated that way by the federal government, you should cosponsor this bill. It is as simple as that.…”