Tonko Votes to Enshrine Marriage EqualityJoins House to pass legislation amid right-wing threats to cut down same-sex marriage ?
Washington,
December 8, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko voted with the House today to send the Respect for Marriage Act to President Biden’s desk. This landmark legislation takes several key steps to defend marriage equality, including upholding couples’ right to equal protection under federal law and requiring states to recognize valid out-of-state marriages. “Today is a victory for human rights and for American couples and families everywhere,” Congressman Tonko said. “With extremists increasingly threatening civil liberties, we took action to honor the dignity and equality of every American. The Respect for Marriage Act is a momentous step forward—sending a clear signal that hate and bigotry have no place in America. There is more work ahead to uphold our fundamental freedoms, but I am proud to have voted to enshrine one critical freedom and ensure that the federal government never stands in the way of marrying the person you love.” Tonko voted earlier this year to pass this legislation, which has since been amended and advanced by the Senate last week. The Respect for Marriage Act will take several steps to protect the inviolability of same-sex and interracial marriages:
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