Leahy, Sanders share statements following vote backing Respect for Marriage Act
Nov. 30, 2022 | By Waterbury Roundabout The United States Senate on Tuesday voted 61-36 to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation to codify in federal law protections for same-sex and interracial marriage. Vermont’s two senators, Democrat Patrick Leahy and Independent Bernie Sanders, both voted in support of the act. Below are statements by Sens. Leahy and Sanders issued after the vote.
The legislation next needs approval by the House of Representatives. President Joe Biden has said he will sign the bill if it comes to his desk.
Read the Associated Press report on the Senate vote here.
Statement from Sen. Patrick Leahy
U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and his wife Marcelle visit Waterbury in October. Photo by Gordon Miller
On behalf of Vermonters, today I was proud to vote for the final passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. Today, we became a slightly more perfect union by recognizing the sanctity of marriage between two individuals, regardless of gender or race.
In August of this year, Marcelle and I celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary. Marrying each other was the most important decision of our lives – not a decision taken lightly, but a deeply personal commitment. A decision such as who to spend your life with should not be determined by a state, local, or federal government. It is regrettable that throughout our history, too many Americans have been denied the right to marry who they love based on their gender or race.
In 2012, I was proud to cosponsor an earlier version of the Respect for Marriage Act to codify the right for all Americans to marry who they love. As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I also convened the first-ever hearing to examine the harmful consequences the Defense of Marriage Act had, and still has, on American families.
I am a proud cosponsor of this version of the Respect for Marriage Act. This bill – as most bills are – is far from perfect, but is a product of a bipartisan compromise. I want to acknowledge my friend from Wisconsin, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, whose steadfast resolve is the reason why this bill passed the Senate today. In the face of Supreme Court justices determined to turn back the clock on basic rights, a group of bipartisan senators remained committed to the principle that all legally valid marriages between two people who love and care for each other deserve equal treatment under the law everywhere in our country.
My home state of Vermont is no stranger to making history. Vermont has been a pioneer in the movement for LGBTQ rights. In 2000, Vermont became the first state to introduce civil unions and the first to offer a civil union status encompassing the same legal rights and responsibilities as marriage. The state again made history in 2009 when it was the first state to allow same-sex marriage without being required to do so through a court decision. Just last year, I was so proud when former Vermont Supreme Court Justice Beth Robinson became the first openly gay woman to ascend to our federal circuit courts, on the Second Circuit.
Over the years, I have heard from Vermonters, colleagues, my staff, friends and family on this issue. They have told me what I already know from my marriage to Marcelle. The right to marriage – the right to love someone and build a life with them – should be equally available to all Americans.
As I have said before, when common ground is fertile, we must plant the seeds of progress. And I believe that the Senate did that today by passing the Respect for Marriage Act.
Statement from Sen. Bernie Sanders
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and wife Jane Sanders during the 2016 presidential campaign. Courtesy photo
In the year 2022, we will not let an extremist Supreme Court drag us back in time. I was proud to cast my vote today to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. This important legislation will finally safeguard and enshrine marriage equality into federal law. It also, critically, repeals the Defense of Marriage Act, which for many years banned gay marriage and was something I opposed in 1996 when I served in the House of Representatives.
I’m proud that Vermont has served as a pioneer in the marriage equality movement. Marriage has always been an inalienable right. And now today, we are on our way to protecting that right for all.