Crowley on Supreme Court Decision to Hear DOMA, Prop 8 Cases

(Queens, N.Y.) – Today, Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), released the statement below following the announcement by the U.S. Supreme Court that it will review the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the case of Edith Schlain Windsor v. United States of America, as well as a case challenging California's Proposition 8, an initiative that took away the right for same-sex partners to marry in California. In September, Crowley joined over 140 House members, led by fellow New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler, in filing an amicus brief in support of Ms. Windsor’s challenge against DOMA.

“Both DOMA and Proposition 8 have been declared unconstitutional by courts, and now the Supreme Court will have the opportunity to do the same. Sexual orientation discrimination has absolutely no place in the laws and policies of this country, and I hope the Supreme Court will ultimately decide to make a ruling on these cases. Marriage equality is a fundamental right for all families and I will continue to fight to ensure that all Americans are afforded equal protection under the law.”

Congressman Crowley is the seven-term representative from the 7th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as a Chief Deputy Whip in the House of Representatives.