Senate to Examine “Respect for Marriage Act” in November

The Senate Judiciary Committee will look at Senator Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) bill titled Respect for Marriage Act which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) from federal law. The act will provide federal marriage rights for all legally married same-sex couples. The bill does not compel all states to recognize same-sex marriages.

This is the bill’s first markup in Senate. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has scheduled the presentation of the bill for November. During this meeting the Judiciary Committee will debate and vote on the bill. The Respect for Marriage Act is co-sponsored by 30 members of the Senate and is supported by President Barack Obama.

This historic advancement for marriage equality will most likely not be addressed in the Republican-controlled House during this Congress due to Republicans who are planning to defend DOMA in the courts.

Take Action: Currently, 30 Senators support the Respect for Marriage Act. Find out if yours is one of them here and write a letter of thanks for their commitment to respecting marriage rights for all citizens. If your senator has yet to pledge their support, urge them to vote in favor of providing federal rights to married same-sex couples this November.