This week President Biden signed into law the Respect for Marriage Act which will protect same-sex and interracial marriages. This historic legislation ensures the federal government cannot stand in the way of marrying the person you love and guarantees the right and protection to which same-sex and interracial couples, and their children, are entitled.

This landmark legislation passed through Congress with bipartisan super-majority support. Twelve Republican Senators joined Democrats in a 61-36 vote, sidestepping a filibuster, while 39 House Republicans joined Democrats in a majority vote of 258-169. The Respect for Marriage Act does not mandate that states issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, but requires that all states recognize marriages legally performed in any state. This bill also repeals the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act which recognized and defined marriage as between a man and a woman only.

Although the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, current and future unions resulting from that decision would be in jeopardy if the Supreme Court should revisit that decision and rule these unions are not a constitutionally protected right under the 14th Amendment, such as what occurred this past summer with the 1973 Roe v Wade decision. The Respect for Marriage legislation was prioritized and hastened when Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas, wrote in a opinion following the fall of Roe v Wade that the court “should also reconsider” the ruling that legalized same-sex marriages. At this suggestion, alarm bells rang and Congressional Bipartisanship unequivocally spoke.

The Respect for Marriage legislation moves our country toward the ideals this nation was founded on: equality for all, liberty for all…respect towards all. It also is a testament to the belief that moving toward a more perfect Union raises each and every one of us. Indeed, a rising tide lifts all boats.

ALPENA COUNTY

DEMOCRATIC PARTY