Maloney Leads Effort to Defend Marriage Equality

Press Release

Today, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) led House Democrats in defending interracial and same-sex marriage by passing the Respect for Marriage Act. The Respect for Marriage Act, co-led by Rep. Maloney, would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, ensure marriage equality for the purposes of federal law, and require states to recognize marriages performed in other states.

"If Republicans in Congress and their radical judges get their way, my marriage will be made illegal," said Rep. Maloney. "Everyone, no matter their race or sexuality, deserves the right to marry the person they love. Today, we took action to defend that right. I am incredibly proud to have led and voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which will protect same-sex and interracial couples from GOP efforts to strip away our rights."

Rep. Maloney spoke on the House Floor during debate on the Respect for Marriage Act. Footage of his remarks is available [here].

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Additional Background:

H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act:

H.R. 8404 passed by a vote of 267-157.
Rep. Maloney co-led the introduction of this legislation on July 18, 2022, with his fellow co-chairs of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and the chairs of the Congressional Black, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific American Caucuses.
The Respect for Marriage Act:
Repeals the Defense of Marriage Act: H.R. 8404 repeals the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act so it will not take effect again if the Supreme Court overturns its landmark marriage equality decisions, United States v. Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges.
The Defense of Marriage Act restricts marriage for federal purposes to one man and one woman and enables states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
Protects Federal Marriage Equality: H.R. 8404 requires the federal government to recognize all marriages performed under state law, meaning interracial and same-sex married couples cannot be denied the federal benefits of marriage based on the whims of a presidential administration.
Requires States to Recognize Out-of-State Marriages: H.R. 8404 requires states to recognize marriages performed in other states, including interracial and same-sex marriages, even if those marriages would be illegal to perform in that state, reinforcing the Supreme Court's decisions in Windsor, Obergefell, and Loving v. Virginia (the case establishing the right to interracial marriage).

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