Veteran Spouse Equal Treatment Act

Floor Speech

Ms. TITUS. For far too long, DOMA denied legally married same-sex couples access to Federal benefits, including those provided by the VA. But with yesterday's decisions, the Supreme Court sent a clear message that all Americans, gay or straight, must be afforded equal protection under the law.

There is no question that now we must implement the Court's ruling throughout every department of the Federal Government. Accordingly, I'm proud to introduce the Veteran Spouse Equal Treatment Act to amend the VA's definition of spouse as an individual of the opposite sex. This is a basic matter of aligning the VA with our Nation's laws, of living up to the principles of fairness and equality, of extending benefits to thousands of deserving military spouses, and of defending all those who have proudly worn the uniform of the U.S. armed services and their families.

Yesterday, justice and freedom prevailed over intolerance and hate. So today I ask my colleagues to work with me to see that this legislation is passed without delay, to implement the Supreme Court's decision, and leave no question about equal protection under the law for all Americans.

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