On the recordDecember 8, 2022
Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of marriage equality. The bills we write and pass regularly affect millions of lives. Rarely is the legislation we vote on so personal as the bill we are voting on today, the Respect for Marriage Act. My daughter and her wife are two of the estimated 26 million Americans whose freedom to marry will be protected by this bill. Their son, my 1-year-old grandson, Reza, can now grow up without risk to his family. Love is a precious thing. Madam Speaker, I know my daughters will now know our Nation respects their marriage. You cannot legislate love, but you can give love the protection of our laws. I thank the gentleman and I urge my colleagues to vote for this. {time} 1000
