DelBene Comments on Supreme Court Defense of Marriage Act Decision

Editor's note: The following is a press release from Congresswoman Suzan DelBene.

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement regarding today’s Supreme Court decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, declaring the 1996 law denying federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples is unconstitutional:

“Today’s landmark decision by the Supreme Court is a victory for social justice and a major step toward the goal of achieving equality for all in our country.

“Last year, the voters of Washington said loud and clear that all loving couples should be allowed to marry. I am proud to have supported that measure, and today Washington is one of 12 states and the District of Columbia to allow same-sex marriage. I am pleased that the California will once again be among these states.

“The Court today affirmed what Washington voters already know, which is that all loving couples deserve equal treatment under the law. This was the same argument that I and 212 of my colleagues made when we submitted an amicus brief to the Court when making our case that DOMA is unconstitutional. For married gay and lesbian couples throughout the country, today’s ruling means that they are now clearly eligible for all the federal protections and responsibilities afforded to other married couples.

“There is still more to do to fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and ensure that all couples can benefit from federal marital protections, regardless of where they live. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I am eager to get to work with my colleagues to ensure these families are treated equally.”