Heinrich Fights To Protect Marriage Equality, Senate Passes Respect For Marriage Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, issued the following statement after the Senate voted to protect marriage equality:

“No American should have their rights and freedoms threatened because of who they are and who they love.

“New Mexico’s state constitution requires that same-sex couples be treated equally under the law and have the same fundamental right to marry as other couples. And the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2015 to make same-sex marriage a right nationwide. 

“However, given the current MAGA conservative majority on the Supreme Court, which is poised to take away long-standing civil liberties, there is still more work to do in Congress to safeguard same-sex couples and their families. That’s why I voted ‘yes’ to pass the Respect for Marriage Act.

“It's about time we provide certainty that the marriages of same-sex and interracial couples will not only be protected, but also given equal recognition across our nation.”

Background:

The Senate passed the legislation today by a vote of 61-36. It will now head to the U.S. House of Representatives where it is expected to pass and advance to the President’s desk to be signed into law.