RELEASE: Gottheimer Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Marriage Equality

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, helped pass the bipartisan, bicameral Respect for Marriage Act, to enshrine marriage equality into federal law. 

This bipartisan legislation will officially repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a defunct and discriminatory statute excluding same-sex couples from marriage under federal law. The bill will also codify new protections ensuring that no married couple can be denied protections and benefits under federal law based on sex, race, ethnicity or national origin. 

“I will always oppose any attempt by those in Washington or around the country to roll back the clock and stand against full marriage equality for the LGBTQ community. Today, I was proud to help pass bipartisan, bicameral legislation in the House to protect marriage equality in New Jersey and nationwide,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Last month, the Supreme Court made a devastating and extreme decision to overturn a woman’s right to choose — in a horrific breach of personal privacy. Now, extremists are trying to attack marriage equality as well. But, with today’s bipartisan legislation passing the House, we are fighting to enshrine marriage equality into federal law and prohibit state officials from discriminating against same-sex and interracial couples. We now need the Senate to do the same.” 

 The bipartisan, bicameral Respect for Marriage Act will take the following steps: 

• Enshrine Marriage Equality Into Federal Law: This bipartisan legislation will require the federal government to fully recognize any marriage considered valid in the state where it was performed – providing same-sex and interracial couples additional certainty that they will continue to receive equal treatment under federal law. 
• Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act: While the Supreme Court has effectively voided the Defense of Marriage Act, this unconstitutional and discriminatory federal law still remains on the books. The Respect for Marriage Act will repeal this statute once and for all. 
• Bar Discrimination By State Officials: This bipartisan bill will prohibit state officials from denying recognition of an out-of-state marriage on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity or national origin. 

###