Providing for Consideration of H.R. Respect for Marriage Act
Floor Speech
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Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1510 and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 1510
Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 8404) to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and ensure respect for State regulation of marriage, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment thereto, and to consider in the House, without intervention of any point of order, a motion offered by the chair of the Committee on the Judiciary or his designee that the House concur in the Senate amendment. The Senate amendment and the motion shall be considered as read. The motion shall be debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective designees. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption without intervening motion.
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Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave
Today, the Committee on Rules met and reported a rule, House Resolution 1510, providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act. The rule makes in order a motion offered by the chair of the Committee on the Judiciary that the House concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 8404 and provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Speaker, tonight's rule provides for the consideration of the Respect for Marriage Act, and I am proud to support this rule to move that bill to the floor.
The Respect for Marriage Act will repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act once and for all and ensure that all across America, families in same-sex and interracial marriage are afforded the respect and legal rights and protections they deserve.
Passage of this bill is a critical step to protect the rights and freedoms of all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation or race, following the Supreme Court's recent decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. That decision and recent statements by the Supreme Court's new rightwing majority have left families across the country and in my district worried about the future of marriage equality.
The Respect for Marriage Act will ensure long-term stability and important statutory protection for all marriages. The Respect for Marriage Act will safeguard the protections laid out in Obergefell v. Hodges, as well as prior case law, that protect important fundamental privacy and liberty rights, all of which were improperly called into question in the Dobbs decision and related dicta.
This is a matter of respecting the fundamental rights, freedoms, and liberties of our neighbors, family members, and fellow citizens. Everyone should have the right to marry the person they love and live free from discrimination, regardless of where in this great land they live or travel.
In addition to securing the respect for those marriages, this bill will also secure respect for families across America and in all of our communities and families.
The issues addressed by this bill have been thoroughly debated in this body, in the Senate, and by the American public. The Respect for Marriage Act will ensure long-term stability and important statutory protections for all.
I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense legislation and to reaffirm the fundamental right to marriage equality.
Mr. Speaker, families in my community are justly skeptical of process arguments which have been regularly weaponized to roll back the rights, the freedoms, the liberties that they so richly deserve to exercise. So I think at this point, there has been plenty of process. There has been amendment process in both Chambers, and it is time to pass this legislation.
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Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, we believe that the gentleman's amendment is both duplicative and unnecessary.
The Senate spent months crafting a bipartisan compromise to amend H.R. 8404 to address the religious liberty concerns that were raised by Republicans in the House and Senate. Sections 6 and 7 of this legislation ensure no impact on religious liberty.
Adopting this new and unnecessary amendment would unsettle the Senate's carefully crafted compromise and delay the enactment of this necessary, historic, and bipartisan legislation.
If the House passes this legislation, it will be sent straight to the President's desk to become law. This Congress is coming to a close, and we don't have the time to make changes to this legislation.
This bill has gone through both the House and Senate and through the American public, and I believe it needs to be signed into law as soon as possible.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters in support of this legislation from the Interfaith Alliance, from U.S. Jewish organizations, and from eight leaders of faith-based organizations representing tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of religious institutions. November 28, 2022. Hon. Tammy Baldwin, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. Hon. Susan Collins, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Baldwin and Collins: The Respect for Marriage Act is a simple way to provide legal stability for all married couples and their families. Within our communities, we approach matters of marriage, family, and identity differently. This bill recognizes this diversity of belief while ensuring that same-sex and interracial couples are treated with equal respect by federal and state governments.
As faith-based organizations, we recognize that the First Amendment right to religious freedom is a cornerstone of our democracy. The bipartisan substitute amendment provides important clarification around the interaction between the Respect for Marriage Act and the robust religious freedom protections guaranteed under federal law. Crafted in the spirit of collaboration, the amendment protects the right to believe as we choose while leaving intact the core mission of the legislation to respect marriages.
The freedom to marry who one loves is a matter of human dignity and supported by a majority of almost every major religious tradition in the United States. We urge the Senate to adopt the bipartisan amendment in full, without further amendment needed to protect religious freedom. Respectfully,
Interfaith Alliance, ADL (The Anti-Defamation League), Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Center for Faith, Justice, and Reconciliation, The Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Faithful America, Hindu American Foundation, Hindus for Human Rights, Jewish Women International, Keshet.
Muslims for Progressive Values, National Council of Jewish Women, NETWORK Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of Public Witness, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, The Sikh Coalition, Sojourners, Union for Reform Judaism, Unitarian Universalist Association, United Church of Christ. ____ Washington, DC, September 6, 2022.
U.S. Jewish Organizations' Letter to Senate Supporting Respect for Marriage Act
On behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, Keshet, and 108 additional Jewish organizations, the following letter was shared in support of the Respect for Marriage Act (S. 4556):
Dear Senator: On behalf of the 100 undersigned national, state, and local Jewish organizations, we write to express our support for the Respect for Marriage Act (S. 4556). Driven by our Jewish values, we are committed to supporting laws that protect the civil rights and individual liberties of all people. The Respect for Marriage Act would codify three landmark Supreme Court cases, Obergefell v. Hodges; Windsor v. United States; and Loving v. Virginia, and therefore the basic rights of same-sex and interracial marriage. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this important bill.
Jewish tradition teaches that all people are created b'tzelem Elohim, in the Divine image, and are worthy of dignity and respect. As organizations grounded in Jewish values and beliefs, we have an ethical and moral responsibility to fight for a society that ensures the humanity of all people. Every person is entitled to marry who they love--regardless of sexual orientation or race.
Indeed, support for same-sex marriage protections extends across the faith community, and throughout the country. A majority of all faith groups--including 77 percent of Jews, 57 percent of mainline Protestants, and 57 percent of Catholics support same sex marriage. This view is shared by seven in ten Americans--including 83 percent of Democrats, 73 percent of independents, and 55 percent of Republicans.
Additionally, the Respect for Marriage Act would ensure that all federal benefits are available to married couples regardless of the state in which they live. Congress has a responsibility to pursue economic equity for all, regardless of geographical location, and include historically marginalized groups in this pursuit.
The right to marry who one loves is a matter of human dignity. Our faith teaches us the kol yisrael arevim ezh bazeh, we are all responsible for each other, and therefore must take action to create a community for which we all can take pride.
As Jewish organizations, we believe firmly that all people deserve the right to marry who they love, regardless of sexual orientation or race. We urge Congress to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. Sincerely,
Union for Reform Judaism, Keshet, ADL (Anti-Defamation League), ADL Austin Region, ADL Florida, ADL New England, ADL New York/New Jersey, ADL San Diego, ADL Southeast, ADL Southwest, ADL Texoma, ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, Ameinu, American Conference of Cantors, American Jewish World Service, Avodah, Aytzim, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Beth Chayim Chadashim, B'nai B'rith Connect, California Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-CA), Carolina Jews for Justice, Central Conference of American Rabbis, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philantrohpies, Coastal Roots Farm, Columbia Jewish Congregation, Congregation Agudas Achim, Austin Texas, Congregation Har HaShem, Boulder, CO; Congregation Rodeph Sholom, Congregation Sha'ar Zahav, Florida Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC- FL), Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Havurat Shalom, Andover MA, IKAR, Illinois Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-IL), J Street, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, Jewish Community Action, Jewish Community Center of Asheville, Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Jewish Community Relations Council of Broward County, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, Jewish Community Relations Council of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties, Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), Jewish Council on Urban Affairs.
Jewish Emergent Network, Jewish Family Service Houston, Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans, Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, Jewish Labor Committee, Jewish Teen Education and Engagement Network, LLC (JTEEN), Jewish Women International, Jewish Youth Climate Movement, Jews for a Secular Democracy, Jews United for Justice (JUFJ), Jewtina y Co., JQY (Jewish Queer Youth), JYCA (Jewish Youth for Community Action), Kane Street Synagogue, Lab/Shul, Makom Shelanu.
Malkhut: progressive Jewish spirituality in Queens, Massachusetts Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC- MA), MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Men of Reform Judaism, Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Mishkan Chicago, Moving Traditions, National Council of Jewish Women, National Council of Jewish Women New York, Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, New Israel Fund, New Jersey Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-NJ), New York Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-NY), Ohio Religious Acton Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-OH), Peninsula Jewish Community Center, Pennsylvania Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-PA), Rabbinical Assembly, Reconstructing Judaism, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.
Romemu, SAI-Judaism that Stands for All, Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, Shalom Austin, Sixth Circle Consulting, Society for Humanistic Judaism, St. Paul Jewish Federation, T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, TBE, Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Temple Beth El (Tacoma), Temple Beth El of Boca Raton, Temple Emanu-El of Westfield, Temple Kol Emeth, Temple Ohabei Shalom, Temple Shir Tikva, Texas Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-TX), The Shalom Center, The Temple--Atlanta GA, The Workers Circle, Tivnu: Building Justice, Tribe 12, Tzedek Georgia, USY, Women of Reform Judaism. ____ November 15, 2022. Re The Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404) U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20515
Dear Senators: We are leaders of faith-based organizations representing tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of religious institutions. All our organizations hold to an understanding of marriage as between one man and one woman. Many of us privately expressed concerns about the House- passed version of the Respect for Marriage Act.
We are gratified by the substitute religious freedom language offered by Senators Collins, Baldwin, Sinema, Portman, Tillis, and Romney. It adequately protects the core religious freedom concerns raised by the bill, including tax exempt status, educational funding, government grants and contracts, and eligibility for licenses, certification, and accreditation. If passed, it would continue to build on the congressional wisdom represented by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA).
Attached are many statements from individual organizations. Sincerely, Elder Jack N. Gerard,
The Quorum of the Seventy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Melissa Reid,
Director of Government Affairs, Seventh-day Adventist Church-North American Division. Nathan J. Diament,
Executive Director for Public Policy, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. Shirley Hoogstra,
President, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Rev. Justin E. Giboney,
President, AND Campaign. Stanley Carlson-Thies,
Founder and Senior Director, Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance. Stephanie Summers,
CEO, Center for Public Justice. Tim Schultz,
President, 1st Amendment Partnership.
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Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I have one additional speaker.
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Ms. SCANLON. Maloney), the distinguished chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her leadership.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the rule for the Respect for Marriage Act.
In all my decades of public service, I have never wavered in my support for the LGBTQ+ community. In 1990, I introduced the first legislation in New York State history to grant legal recognition to same-sex couples. When the Defense of Marriage Act was introduced in 1996, I was one of 67 House Members to vote against it. I knew then what I know now: DOMA was a bigoted, discriminatory solution to a problem that never existed.
It never made sense that I could get into a cab and meet someone that I have never met before, a cab driver, and marry a complete stranger. You could marry the driver that day. Yet a bold, brave New Yorker, and a friend of mine, named Edie Windsor could not have her marriage recognized. She took that fight to the Supreme Court and won.
Mr. Speaker, the Respect for Marriage Act will ensure LGBTQ equality, but much more work needs to be done. I thank Chairman Nadler for this bill.
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Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I would again inquire whether my colleague has any further testimony.
Mr. Speaker, tonight's vote should be an easy one. The Respect for Marriage Act passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support, and the bill is supported by over 70 percent of Americans. It provides critical safeguards for a right that many Americans have already exercised and rely upon for the protection and prosperity of their families.
The Respect for Marriage Act is historic legislation to protect the marriages of same-sex and interracial couples. I don't think history will look kindly on those who, when given the ability to protect the rights and freedoms of their constituents, chose to say no.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the LGBTQ community, my cousins, my dearest friends and neighbors, religious communities across the country, and, of course, the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection, which I am so proud to represent, I stand in strong support of the Respect for Marriage Act, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this rule and the bill.
The previous question was ordered.
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