Congressman Cohen Speaks in Favor of and Votes for the Respect for Marriage Act

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, today spoke in favor of and then voted for the Respect for Marriage Act.

The measure would protect marriage for same-sex and interracial couples guaranteed by Obergefell v. Hodges and Loving v. Virginia by repealing the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), requiring states to recognize lawful marriage from other states, and ensuring the federal government recognizes all lawful marriages.

The vote on passage was 267 to 157.

In his floor speech, Congressman Cohen said in part:

"I'm supportive of this bill and I think everyone should be supportive of it. It simply says each state will recognize the other states' marriages and not deny a person the right to marry based on race, gender, or sexual orientation and it urges the federal government to do the same thing…The only reason to be against it is because you really don't want to go on the record of being in favor of those rights that have been extended to Americans that are potentially in jeopardy."

See the entire speech here.

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