OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Lautenberg Applauds President Obama's Endorsement of Same Sex Marriage

Statement

Date: May 9, 2012
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Marriage Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Today, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) released the following statement on President Obama's endorsement of same sex marriage:

"President Obama's support for marriage equality marks an important moment for civil rights in America. We simply can not treat same sex couples as second-class citizens in our country. Marriage equality is one of the most significant civil rights battles of our time and is critical to guaranteeing the equal protection under the law promised to every American in the Constitution. The President's support for marriage equality should inspire Congress, Governors and state legislatures to advance civil rights for all Americans."

Last year, Lautenberg joined Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and others to introduce legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The "Respect for Marriage Act" would repeal DOMA and restore the rights of all lawfully married couples -- including tens of thousands of same-sex couples -- to receive the benefits of marriage under federal law.


Source
arrow_upward