Hoyer Statement on the Beginning of Marriage Equality Oral Arguments to the Supreme Court

Statement

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today as the Supreme Court began to hear oral arguments on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and Hollingsworth v. Perry, a challenge to California's Prop. 8 this week:

"As the Supreme Court hears challenges to the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act this week, we must remember that our nation was founded on the principle that all people are not only created equal but deserve to be treated equally under the law. Discrimination of any kind has no place in our nation.

"I was proud to join with 212 other House and Senate Democrats in filing an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to uphold the Second Circuit's ruling in U.S. v. Edith Schlain Windsor that DOMA is unconstitutional. The House Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group, which is defending the discriminatory DOMA on the orders of the House Republican leadership, does not speak for Congress as a whole.

"While the Court considers these cases, I will continue to advocate for full equality for LGBT individuals and families in Maryland and across the country."

Source