Political Quotes

“the Supreme Court has ruled it is unconstitutional to deny Federal benefits to legally married, same-sex couples and their children. Yet due to unrelated provisions of the Federal Code, State legislatures have the ability to indirectly deny Federal benefits to certain disabled veterans and their families solely because they are in a same-sex marriage. This is unjust and, according to the Supreme Court, it is unconstitutional. This amendment we are about to vote on would end the current prohibition on benefits for gay and lesbian veterans and their families living in States that do not recognize same-sex marriage. I wish to quote from testimony we heard from the VFW at a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing last month. The VFW said this, and I hope all of my colleagues will keep this in mind as we vote. ``Simply put, if a veteran is legally married in a State that recognizes same- sex marriage, we''--the VFW--``believe the VA should provide benefits to his or her spouse or surviving spouse the same way it does for every other legally married veteran.'' Many of us speak all the time about the need to honor the service of our veterans and to make sure they have access to the care they deserve. This amendment will right a wrong that so many of our veterans who have fought and volunteered deserve to have. I hope our colleagues will support this amendment so we can ensure that those veterans are treated equally. The PRESIDING OFFICER.…”