Higgins Stands In Support of Marriage Equality Bill

Press Release

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced cosponsorship of the Respect for Marriage Act, reintroduced for the 114th Congress this week. The legislation seeks to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which discriminates against same-sex couples' access to federal rights.

Higgins supported a decision by the U.S. Attorney General in 2011 to cease defending DOMA and was among 212 members of Congress who filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court opposing the Defense of Marriage Act. In a 2013 ruling the Supreme Court found DOMA unconstitutional.

Higgins noted the progress made by some states and in remarks made on the House Floor encouraged continued federal action:

"Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Florida became the 36th state to legalize marriage equality. Now more than 70% of Americans live in a state where sexual orientation does not dictate who can be married.

"Our nation was founded on basic principles of freedom and equality and no law should discriminate against individuals on the basis of who they are. We have come a long way since 2004, when Massachusetts became a pioneering state in the fight for marriage equality. But the fight is not over.

"I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, reintroduced in the House yesterday. This legislation will allow same-sex couples to receive equal and fair treatment under federal law regardless of their state's marriage laws.

"As we begin the 114th Congress, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to make sure that we have laws in place to end discrimination towards individuals, regardless of their gender, race, religious background, sexual orientation, or gender identity."

The Respect for Marriage Act has the sponsorship support of 78 members in the House of Representatives and 42 in the Senate.

Source