Warning of Continued Attacks on the Rights of Texans, Allred Votes to Codify Marriage Equality into Law

Press Release

Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) today voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would enshrine marriage equality into federal law and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. The vote comes after Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should revisit the ruling that legalized same-sex marriages.

"Texans shouldn't have to wonder whether their lawful marriages will be upended by an out-of-touch Supreme Court or by extreme right-wing politicians, and this bill protects the fundamental right of same-sex couples to marry who they love," said Allred. "We cannot go backward on basic civil rights, and it's why I will always work to protect LGBTQ Texans from discrimination."

Allred spoke on the House floor in support of the legislation.

Additionally, last year Allred voted in favor of the Equality Act, a bill that would codify civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans into law.

The Respect for Marriage Act:

Requires that an individual be considered married if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed. This gives same-sex and interracial couples additional security that they will continue to enjoy equal treatment under federal law as all other married couples -- as the Constitution requires.

Repeals the Defense of Marriage Act. The Supreme Court effectively rendered the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 inert with its landmark decisions in United States v. Windsor and Obergefell, holding that marriage equality was a constitutional right. This unconstitutional and discriminatory law, however, still officially remains on the books. Therefore, this bill would repeal this statute once and for all.

Prohibits any person acting under the color of state law from denying full faith and credit to an out-of-state marriage based on the sex, race, ethnicity or national origin of the individuals in the marriage. The bill also provides the U.S. Attorney General with the authority to pursue enforcement actions, and it creates a private right of action for any individual harmed by a violation of this provision.

The Respect for Marriage Act is strongly supported by leading advocacy organizations, including the ACLU, Center for American Progress, Equality Federation, Family Equality, Freedom for All Americans, GLAD, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Women's Law Center and PFLAG.

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