Sheila Jackson Lee: “Why are we here this morning? We are here because dignity should be part of life in America. We are here because the…”

“Why are we here this morning? We are here because dignity should be part of life in America. We are here because the Founding Fathers, imperfect as they were, said we are here to create a more perfect union. We are specifically here because a Justice on the United States Supreme Court, Justice Clarence Thomas, appallingly stated that other cherished, fundamental rights should be subject to abrogation, writing: ``In future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell.'' It is shameful that we would have to be here today, but I proudly stand with my community, those who understand and recognize that it is crucial for the Respect for Marriage Act to pass so that respect can go for the loving relationships, the families, the daughters, the sons, the aunts and uncles, and all the husbands and wives that come as family. Let me be very clear: I am the only Member in the Texas delegation that voted against the Defense of Marriage Act. I voted against it. DOMA was wrong then, it is wrong now, and I continuously stand with all of you to pass H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in strong support for H.R. 8404, the ``Respect for Marriage Act'' and the collaboration in the Senate last week that enabled it to pass the Senate and return to the House for today's vote. I am very concerned that the archaic dictum that the Supreme Court used in Dobbs v.…”