Schakowsky Celebrates Passage of Respect for Marriage Act

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement following House and Senate passage of the Respect for Marriage Act:

“Seven years ago, love won. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the fundamental right to marriage is guaranteed to same-sex couples. 

“But, in recent years, this sacred right, along with many others, have come under attack by the extreme right-wing Justices of the Supreme Court.

“Earlier this summer, the rogue Court broke long-standing precedent and stripped bodily autonomy away from millions of Americans with its disgraceful decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In his concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should reconsider marriage equality, putting in danger the millions of legal same-sex marriages across the country. 

“With today’s passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, states will be required to recognize same-sex marriages, so long as they are valid in the state where they were performed. It also repeals the harmful and disgraceful Defense of Marriage Act, which said that marriage should be between one man and one woman.

“I am thrilled that the Respect for Marriage Act now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

“While we celebrate the passage of this momentous bill, we recognize that our work continues to ensure everyone in our LGBTQ+ communities can live authentically and free from hate and discrimination. As the proud grandmother of LGBTQ+ grandchildren, I will not stop fighting until everyone is accepted for who they are.”

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