Hirono Statement on Senate Passage of Respect for Marriage Act

Press Release

Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that she cosponsored to protect marriage equality in federal law, which passed the Senate by a vote of 61-36. The amended House bill must now be voted on again by the U.S. House before being sent to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.

"When the right-wing Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to reproductive freedom, it became clear that this was not the end of possible assaults on our fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to marry who you love," said Senator Hirono. "With this MAGA Court's sights on our constitutional rights, I'm glad the Senate came together in a bipartisan manner to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. This critical legislation will give couples in same-sex and interracial marriages peace of mind that their unions will be protected at the federal level."

Specifically, the Respect for Marriage Act would:

Require the federal government to recognize a marriage between two individuals if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed; and
Guarantee that valid marriages between two individuals are given full faith and credit, regardless of the couple's sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin, but the bill would not require a State to issue a marriage license contrary to state law.

Source