Nadler Hails President Obama's Historic Endorsement of the Respect for Marriage Act

Statement

Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the author and lead sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), lauded President Barack Obama's direct endorsement of his legislation. Nadler is the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and vice-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus.

"I am thrilled by President Obama's endorsement today of the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation which I introduced in order to repeal the discriminatory and cruel Defense of Marriage Act once and for all," said Nadler. "The President's unprecedented decision to support this timely legislation sends a powerful message to Members of Congress and to the American people that now is the moment to dispense with DOMA and remove this ugly blight from our legal code. The President has consistently supported repeal of DOMA and, with today's announcement, in advance of tomorrow's landmark Senate hearing, he has taken yet another step to make this a reality. On the heels of New York's advancement of marriage equality last month, the Respect for Marriage Act is more necessary than ever to ensure that all legally married couples are treated the same -- and granted the same recognition -- by the federal government."

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