Tonko Votes to Enshrine Marriage Equality

Press Release

Congressman Paul D. Tonko voted with the House today to send the Respect for Marriage Act to President Biden's desk. This landmark legislation takes several key steps to defend marriage equality, including upholding couples' right to equal protection under federal law and requiring states to recognize valid out-of-state marriages.

"Today is a victory for human rights and for American couples and families everywhere," Congressman Tonko said. "With extremists increasingly threatening civil liberties, we took action to honor the dignity and equality of every American. The Respect for Marriage Act is a momentous step forward--sending a clear signal that hate and bigotry have no place in America. There is more work ahead to uphold our fundamental freedoms, but I am proud to have voted to enshrine one critical freedom and ensure that the federal government never stands in the way of marrying the person you love."

Tonko voted earlier this year to pass this legislation, which has since been amended and advanced by the Senate last week.

The Respect for Marriage Act will take several steps to protect the inviolability of same-sex and interracial marriages:

Repealing the "Defense of Marriage Act": While the Supreme Court has effectively voided DOMA, this unconstitutional and discriminatory federal law still remains on the books. The Respect for Marriage Act will repeal this statute once and for all.
Enshrining Marriage Equality into Federal Law: upholds married couples' right to equal protection in all areas covered under federal law, such as Social Security, tax filings and veterans' benefits.
Barring Discrimination by State Officials: prohibits state officials from denying recognition of an out-of-state marriage on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity or national origin.

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