Rep. Stansbury’s Votes to Protect Marriage Equality

WASHINGTON–Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) issued the following statement celebrating House passage of the Respect for Marriage Act:

“Every person should be able to marry the person they love, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect this fundamental right. In a concurring opinion in the Dobbs decision, Supreme Court Justice Thomas made it clear that that fundamental freedoms and rights to privacy could be on the chopping block in addition to reproductive rights – including the right to same-sex and interracial marriage.

“The right to marry the person you love is a fundamental human and civil right. Love is love, and I am proud to pass the Respect for Marriage Act to ensure every state recognizes marriages of other states and repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. As this critical legislation makes its way to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law, we know that the Supreme Court’s recent decision places other fundamental rights under attack. In Congress, I will continue to fight to defend our rights to make decisions about our own bodies and protect our privacy.”

While marriage equality remains constitutionally protected, the Supreme Court’s majority decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturning Roe v. Wade relied on arguments that could threaten other fundamental rights, including the right to marriage equality. In a concurring opinion on Dobbs, Justice Clarence Thomas explicitly cited decisions protecting other fundamental rights, including the right to same-sex marriage recognized in Obergefell v. Hodges.

The Respect for Marriage Act, first brought to the House floor in July following the Dobbs decision, protects the marriage rights of same-sex and interracial couples under federal law purposes and repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The Respect for Marriage Act now proceeds to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.