Washington, D.C. – Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, which would officially repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enshrine federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages into law. Following the vote, U.S. Conference of Mayors Chair of the LGBTQ Alliance San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran issued the following joint statement:
“The U.S. Conference of Mayors, which has had strong policies in support of civil rights since the 1960s and gay rights since 1984, applauds the House today for its passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. The bill, if fully enacted, would repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act – a long overdue step by Congress – and ensure that marriage equality is protected as the law of the land. Following the recent decision by the conservative majority on the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and the signal sent that other rights, like the right to same-sex marriage, are potentially under attack, this legislation will protect a fundamental freedom. America’s mayors are ready to work with Congress to pass this law and others to ensure that Americans’ rights and freedoms are always protected.”