Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08), voted to send the Respect for Marriage Act to President Biden’s desk. This landmark legislation takes  several key steps to defend marriage equality by officially repealing the “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA), upholding couples’ rights to equal protection under federal law, and requiring states to recognize valid out-of-state marriages.

“Today, I proudly voted to ensure the federal government never stands in the way of marrying the person you love,” said Rep. Cartwright, a co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act and member of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. “This legislation sends a clear signal that hate and bigotry have no place in America.”

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

-      Repealing the Defense of Marriage Act: While the Supreme Court effectively voided DOMA, the Respect for Marriage Act will repeal this statute once and for all.

-      Enshrining Marriage Equality into Federal law: This legislation will uphold married couples’ right to equal protection in all areas covered under federal law including Social Security, tax filings and veterans’ benefits.

-      Barring discrimination by state officials: This legislation prohibits state officials from denying recognition of an out-of-state marriage on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity or national origin.