Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement regarding Senate passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, a bipartisan bill that would enshrine marriage equality into federal law:
“Today’s Senate passage of the Respect for Marriage Act is an important step forward in our fight to enshrine marriage equality into federal law. As the Supreme Court’s recent reversal of Roe v. Wade has shown, no modern right or freedom is safe from constitutional attack.
By passing the Respect for Marriage Act, we are showing same-sex and interracial couples that Congress will stand by them and fight for their fundamental rights. It is a sad fact of reality that we must take this necessary step, but by doing so we are giving all couples the certainty and security they deserve.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has long been a leader in the fight for LGBTQ rights. In 2009, Gillibrand led the effort in the Senate to repeal the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, waging a successful 18-month campaign on the issue.