Cohen's Response to Supreme Court Decision on DOMA: SCOTUS Ruled Against Discrimination in Favor of Equality and States' Rights

Statement

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):

"With today's ruling to overturn Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the Supreme Court ruled against discrimination and in favor of equality. DOMA was a politically inspired law in the 1990s and was never good law. Even President Clinton, who signed it into law and Bob Barr, who was its prime sponsor, said it was unconstitutional. President Obama declined to defend it in court for the same reason. I'm glad the federal government will recognize state laws regarding marriage -- historically it always has and it should. Politics have certainly changed on same-sex marriage since the enactment of DOMA in 1996, particularly in the thirteen states and the District of Columbia where it is now legal. I'm proud that I never voted for repressive laws like DOMA that take away rights from Americans."

DOMA's Section 3 denies legally married same-sex couples the federal protections and responsibilities triggered by marriage including Social Security Survivor benefits, family and medical leave, benefits for service members' spouses, and immigration rights.

Source