On the recordJuly 19, 2022
Before us is a bill, the Respect for Marriage Act. I woke up this morning, got ready to come over to the Capitol, and as I often do, I glanced over to pictures of my family, and I glanced to a picture of my 9-month-old grandson. I couldn't be happier about the newest addition to our family. I couldn't be prouder of the two people who brought him into the world, my daughter Corey and her wife Hedya. When my daughter told me she wanted to get married, I told her what every good parent should tell their children, that if this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, I couldn't be happier for you. Shortly after that announcement of wanting to get married, my daughter had some terrible news. Her fiancee just found out she had breast cancer. With decisions facing them, they decided to get married right away. Given all the complications that come with managing treatment, the decision to get married quickly was incredibly important. As I stood at their wedding, in a U.S. court, with a Federal judge presiding over their union, I knew it was only made possible because of a recent Supreme Court decision. Today, we consider that legislation. That same Court has opened the door to dismantling families like mine, splitting this little guy's family apart potentially. We can't let that happen. We are talking about marriage, two committed people, to make sure they have a secure family, and all we have to do is vote ``yes.'' Don't complicate the issue.…
