Patrick Leahy: “on behalf of Vermonters, today I was proud to vote for the final passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. Today, we…”

“on behalf of Vermonters, today I was proud to vote for the final passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. Today, we became a slightly more perfect union by recognizing the sanctity of marriage between two individuals, regardless of gender or race. In August of this year, Marcelle and I celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary. Marrying each other was the most important decision of our lives--not a decision taken lightly, but a deeply personal commitment. A decision such as who to spend your life with should not be determined by a State, local, or Federal government. It is regrettable that throughout our history, too many Americans have been denied the right to marry who they love based on their gender or race. In 2012, I was proud to cosponsor an earlier version of the Respect for Marriage Act to codify the right for all Americans to marry who they love. As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I also convened the first ever hearing to examine the harmful consequences the Defense of Marriage Act had, and still has, on American families. I am a proud cosponsor of this version of the Respect for Marriage Act. This bill--as most bills are--is far from perfect, but is a product of a bipartisan compromise. I want to acknowledge my friend from Wisconsin, Senator Baldwin, whose steadfast resolve is the reason why this bill passed the Senate today.…”